GIFT  OF 


Photo  by  Byron. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE/ 

THE 
FREDERICK  GIRL 


A   PLAY   IN   FOUR   ACTS 

BY 
CLYDE    FITCH. 


LIFE   PUBLISHING   COMPANY, 

NEW  YORK  CITY. 

M:D:CCCC. 


Copyright, 

1900, 
by 

LIFE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 
New  York  City. 

REGISTERED  AT  STATIONER'S  HAU,, 
London,  England. 


All  Rights  Reserved. 
Printed  in  the  United  States. 


?S  1 477 


TO  JULIA  MARLOWE. 

How  much  Barbara  and  I  both  owe  to  you!  You  crept 
into  her  very  heart  (and  mine!),  and  like  the  Good  Fairy  at 
the  birth  of  the  Princess,  endowed  her  with  her  best  gift, 
your  own  Personal  Charm !  How  grateful  I  am  I  will  try  to 
prove  by  giving  her  to  you  after  you  yourself  have  made  her 
dear  to  me.  CLYDE  FITCH. 

NEW  YORK,  1900. 


BARBARA   FRIETCHIE,   THE   FREDERICK   GIRL. 


THE  FIRST  ACT. 

A  Street  in  Frederick.     After  Supper. 
THE  SECOND  ACT. 

The  Lutheran  Minister's  House  in  Hagerstown.    The  Fol 
lowing  Day. 

THE  THIRD  ACT. 
The  Frietchie  House  in  Frederick.     Two  Days  Later. 

THE  FOURTH  ACT. 

THE  FIRST  SCENE. — Barbara's  Room.     The  Next  Morn 
ing. 

THE  SECOND  SCENE. — The  Street. 


The  author  disclaims  any  intention  to  the  writing  of  an  his 
torical  play.  He  has  endeavored  merely  to  picture  in  an 
imaginary  story  some  of  the  spirit  and  atmosphere  of  a  cer 
tain  period  of  our  history,  using  the  personality  of  "Barbara 
Frietchie"  as  best  lending  itself  to  his  purpose. 


As  Originally  Produced  at  the  Broad  Stre'etJ  Theatre, 
Philadelphia,  October  10,  1899,  and  Two  Weeks  Later  at  the 


Criterion  Theatre,  New  York. 


THE  PERSONS  IN  THE  PLAY. 

BARBARA  FRIETCHIE Julia  Marlowe 

SALLY  NEGLY Katherine  Wilson 

SUE  ROYCE Norah  Lamison 

LAURA  ROYCE Mary  Blyth 

MRS.  HUNTER Annie  Clarke 

MAMMY  Lu Alice  Leigh 

CAPT.  TRUMBULL /.  H.  Gilmour 

MR.  FRIETCHIE George  Woodward 

ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE Lionel  Adams 

COL.  NEGLY W.  /.  LeMoyne 

JACK  NEGLY Arnold  Daly 

FRED  GELWEX,  )  Soldiers   -I Dodson  Mitchell 

TIM  GREENE,    j  '( Becton  Radford 

EDGAR  STRONG Donald  MacLaren 

DR.  HAL  BOYD Algernon  Tassin 

SERGT.  JAMES Frank  Coif  ax 

CORPL.  PERKINS Ralph  Lewis 

ORDERLY H.  Phillips 

A  BOY Byron  Ongley 

SOLDIERS,  TOWNSPEOPLE  AND  CHILDREN. 


The  Period  is 

The  scenery  was  painted  by  Mr.  E.  G.  Unitt.     The  cos 
tumes  were  designed  by  Virginia  Gerson. 

Miss  Marlowe  and  her  company  were  presented  in  the  play 
under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Charles  Frohman. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE, 
THE  FREDERICK  GIRL 


THE   FIRST  ACT. 

A    STREET    IN    FREDERICK.        AFTER    SUPPER. 

Across  the  brick  pavement  three  houses  stand  facing  us, 
two  of  red  zvith  white  trimmings  in  the  early  Colonial  style  of 
architecture,  the  other  house  on  our  right  of  wood,  painted 
brown,  and  placed  back  from  the  street,  with  a  small  garden 
and  a  picket  fence.  In  the  garden  is  a  round  bed  of  scarlet 
geraniums, and  a  honeysuckle  vine  grows  over  the  front  door. 
The  street  turns  a  corner  around  the  garden,  where  a  big 
lilac  bush  grows.  The  centre  house  belongs  to  the  Frietchies, 
and  over  its  steps  is  a  balcony,  supported  on  four  Corinthian 
columns  in  zvood,  painted  white.  The  windows  of  all  the 
houses  in  the  street  are  open  and  there  are  lamps  lit  in  many 
of  the  lower  rooms.  The  house  with  the  garden  belongs  to 
the  Royce  family;  the  house  on  the  left  is  the  home  of  Col. 
Negly,  his  son  and  daughter. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

The  theatre  is  darkened  and  "Dixie"  is  played  once  by 
the  orchestra.  Then  the  curtain  rises  slowly  and  softly  with 
out  orchestral  music. 

It  is  the  starry  twilight  of  a  languorous  summer  night,  and 
the  air  is  tremulous  and  full  of  the  scent  of  honeysuckle  and 
jasmine.  On  the  steps  of  the  Frietchie  house  sit  Two  GIRLS, 
LAURA  and  SUE  ROYCE.  They  are  pretty,  rather  thoughtless 
young  creatures,  but  sweet-tempered  and  warm-hearted. 
They  wear  soft,  light  dresses,  open  at  the  neck,  and  are  bare 
armed.  Through  an  open  window  BARBARA  is  heard  at  the 
piano  singing  "Kathleen  Mavourneen."  The  light  on  the 
stage  is  soft  and  dim.  On  the  farther  stoop  sit  SALLY  RQXCE 
and  EDGAR  STRONG,  a  young  couple  in  the  heyday  of  a  "boy- 
and-girl"  -flirtation.  BARBARA  -finishes  the  first  verse  of 
"Kathleen  Mavourneen,"  and  LAURA,  joining  in  softly,  sings 
the  last  line  with  her.  BARBARA,  after  a  moment's  strum 
ming,  begins  singing  a  second  verse.  Two  small  children 
nm  past,  playing  hide-and-go-seek.  Hearing  BARBARA, 
they  stop  to  listen  beneath  her  window,  holding  hands,  till 
she  finishes  "Kathleen,"  when  they  romp  away,  continuing 
their  sport. 

SUE. 

[Calls  across  to  the  Negly  steps.]     SALLY ! 

LAURA. 

[Leaning  over  and  touching  Sue.}  Sh !  She's  got  a  beau 
with  her. 

SUE. 

No,  it's  her  brother ! 

[MAMMY  Lu,  a  dear  old  colored  woman,  comes  down  the 
street  with  a  market  basket  and  passes  through  the  gate  into 
the  Royce  house.  LAURA  turns  her  head  and  watches  the 
Negly  steps.  She  calls  again.]  SALLY! 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE* 

SALLY. 
What? 

SUE. 
Come  on  over  on  our  steps. 

SALLY. 

I  can't ;  I'm  not  alone ! 

LAURA. 

[Turning  her  head  back  to  Sue.]  I  told  you  so.  [The 
Two  GIRLS  titter.]  It's  EDGAR  STRONG! 

[SuE  joins  in  with  BARBARA  and  sings  with  her.  SALL? 
and  STRONG  are  seen  rising  on  their  steps.  She  follows  him 
coyly  to  the  bottom  step,  where  they  linger  over  a  tender 
good-bye.  She  fastens  a  spray  of  honeysuckle  from  her 
dress  into  the  lapel  of  his  coat.  He  starts  to  go,  but  stops  at 
the  corner  of  the  steps  and  they  say  good-bye  once  more. 

LAURA. 
He's  going!     [Craning  her  neck  to  see  surreptitiously. 

SUE. 

I  wonder  if  he'll  pass  here? 

[BARBARA,  having  -finished  "Kathleen  Mavourneen,"  sings 
"Maryland,  My  Maryland."  STRONG,  leaving  SALLY,  who 
goes  into  her  house,  comes  slowly  past  the  other  girls,  going 
down  the  street.  A  few  steps  from  SALLY'S  steps  he  turns 
and  looks  back,  but  she  has  gone  in.  He  comes  on  absorbed, 
unconscious  of  the  presence  of  SUE  and  LAURA,  and  passes 
them.  SUE  and  LAURA  both  "ahem!"  pointedly.  He  doesn't 
hear  them  and  turns  the  Royce  corner.  The  Two  GIRLS 
titter. 

LAURA. 

[Laughing.]     SALLY'S  got  a  real  stylish  beau,  hasn't  she? 

[A  pause.  The  girls  lean  back  against  the  railings,  fan 
ning  themselves. 

10 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

[Getting  up.]  Is  BARBARA  going  to  sing  the  whole  even 
ing?  Why  doesn't  she  come  out  on  the  steps?  [She  leans 
over  the  railing,  trying  to  look  into  the  Frietchie  parlor  win 
dow.  She  calls.]  BARBARA! 

[A  light  is  seen  in  an  upper  window  of  SALLY'S  house. 

LAURA. 
Sh!     She's  very  sentimental  to-night,  and  it's  not  JACK 

NEGLY  either. 

SUE. 

[Turning  and  leaning  with  her  back  against  the  railing.] 

Who  then? 

LAURA. 

CAPT.  TRUMBULL 

SUE. 

The  Yankee !  Law !  what  a  flirt  she  is !  Why,  JACK  NEG- 
LY'S  been  her  acknowledged  beau ! 

LAURA. 

You  needn't  talk!  You're  younger'n  BARBARA  and  have 
had  twice  as  many  beaux  as  she  already ! 

[BARBARA,  having  -finished  "Maryland,  My  Maryland" 
sings  "Listen  to  the  Mocking  Bird" 

SUE. 

Oh !  if  you  call  walking  out  to  the  cemetery  every  evening 
with  one  fellow  making  him  your  beau!  But  BARBARA'S 
been  caught  within  a  week  down  the  Hagerstown  pike  with 
two  different  men's  arms  about  her. 

LAURA. 
Well,  I  reckon  you  wish  you  could  be  caught  like  that ! 

SUE. 

[Laughing  good  naturedly.]  Yes,  indeedy,  I  shouldn't 
mind  a  bit ! 

ii 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[Sitting  down  on  the  top  step.  The  Two  GIRLS  again  sub 
side  into  silence.  BARBARA'S  voice  steals  out  sweetly  through 
the  open  windows  with  the  "Mocking  Bird"  refrain.  A 
young  couple,  arm  in  arm,  stroll  absorbedly  past,  on  their 
way  back  from  the  usual  lovers'  walk  of  the  town — where  the 
willows  weep  and  hearts  stop  beating  underneath  cool  white 
marble  names. 

SALLY. 

[Calls,  leaning  out  of  her  window  upstairs.]  Girls,  are 
you  there  yet  ? 

LAURA. 
Yes. 

SUE. 
Come  on  down.    [SALLY  closes  the  blinds  and  disappears. 

LAURA. 
[Calls.]     BARBARA! 

BARBARA. 
[Inside.]     Well? 

LAURA. 
SALLY  NEGLY'S  coming  over ! 

BARBARA. 

[Inside.]     Glad  it's  not  her  brother! 
[Runs  her  hand  over  all  the  piano  keys  from  base  to  treble. 

SUE. 

Oh,  my !     Isn't  she  airy ! 
[She  looks  down  the  street.]     Here  comes  HAL  BOYD. 

LAURA. 
What  do  I  care !  [Tossing  her  head. 


12 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

Oh,  what  a  fine  tail  our  bird's  got !  You  seemed  to  care  a 
good  deal  at  the  picnic  last  week. 

LAURA. 

You  needn't  throw  any  stones !  You  were  in  a  glass  house 
at  the  picnic  yourself — with  ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE.  Which 
way  is  he  coming?  [Looking  slyly  up  and  down  the  street. 

SUE. 
He  isn't !     I  was  only  making  believe 

LAURA. 
[Laughing  in  spite  of  herself.]     Oh,  you  mean  thing! 

SALLY. 

[Who  has  come  out  from  her  house,  joins  them.  She  is 
perhaps  more  vivacious  than  the  other  two.  About  the 
wrists  of  her  bare  arms  she  has  tied  little  black  velvet  bows. 
It  is  well  known  in  Frederick  that  once  upon  a  time  she  really 
slapped  a  young  man  who  kissed  her  against  her  will.]  Why 
isn't  BARBARA  out  ? 

SUE. 
[Very  pointedly.}     No  men  here  yet ! 

SALLY. 
JACK'S  coming  right  over.          [Sitting  on  the  lowest  step. 

SUE. 
[Calls.]     BARBARA,  JACK'S  coming  over ! 

BARBARA. 

[Inside,  emphatically,  and  accompanying  herself  with 
'chords  upon  the  piano.]  Not  at  home! 

[She  begins  singing  "Her  Bright  Smile  Haunts  Me  Still." 
The  THREE  GRACES  on  the  steps  exchange  glances. 

13 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SALLY. 
That's  just  how  she  treats  JACK  now ! 

LAURA. 

And  every  one's  talking  about  BARBARA  and  that  ornry 
Yankee! 

SUE. 
I  don't  think  he's  ornry ;  I  think  he's  nice. 

SALLY. 

He's  your  enemy  and  you  ought  to  hate  him!  I  shan't 
have  anything  more  to  do  with  BAB  if  she  doesn't  stop  seeing 
CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

SUE. 
He  has  a  lovely  mustache. 

SALLY. 

It  isn't  the  mustache  that  makes  the  man ! 
[N.  B. — EDGAR  STRONG'S  face  is  very  smooth. 
JACK  comes  out  of  the  Negly  house  and  approaches.  JACK 
is  a  handsome  young  fellow  of  twenty.     He  was  a  harum 
scarum  boy,  and  he  is  a  lovable t  impetuous  youth,  with  his 
heart  on  his  sleeve. 

LAURA. 

BARBARA'S  a  true  Southern  girl;  I  don't  understand  her 
having  him  around. 

SUE. 

Good  evening,  JACK.     Oh,  my,  isn't  it  warm? 
[  They  all  exchange  a  greeting. 

JACK. 

[Stands  directly  in  front  of  the  steps,  his  back  to  the  audi 
ence.]  Where's  BARBARA  ?  [All  three  motion  to  the  parlor. 

LAURA. 
Don't  you  hear  her? 

14 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIB. 

[He  calls.]     BARBARA! 

[She  stops  singing  a  moment  to  hear  who  is  speaking. 
JACK  repeats  "BARBARA  \"  She  at  once  begins  singing  again 
emphatically,  pointedly.  He  goes  up  the  steps  between  the 
girls,  and,  standing  on  the  top  step,  calls  more  loudly. 

JACK. 
BARBARA  ! 

LAURA. 
She  hears  you ! 

JACK. 
I  must  see  you. 

BARBARA. 

[Inside.]  I'm  not  at  home — to  cowards! 
[A  moment's  silence.  JACK  stands  hurt.  SALLY  rises 
and  seizes  her  brother's  hand,  saying  "JACK!"  BARBARA 
begins  singing  again.  Then  JACK  quickly  and  firmly  enters 
the  house,  and  a  moment  after  BARBARA'S  singing  ends  ab 
ruptly. 

SALLY. 

[Eagerly.]     Would  it  be  wrong  to  listen  ? 

SUE. 

[Standing  up  as  near  to  the  window  as  she  can  and  leaning 
far  over  the  railing,  listens  hard.]  Decidedly!  And,  any 
way,  I  can't  hear  a  word. 

[She  comes  down  from  her  listening  position  and  sits 
again  on  the  steps.  Two  Union  soldiers  stroll  down  the 
street,  one  smoking,  the  other  with  a  rose  between  his  teeth. 
As  they  pass  the  Frietchie  stoop  the  girls  stop  speaking. 

SALLY. 
Yankees ! 
[The  girls  on  the  lower  steps  swish  their  dresses  up  out  of 


BARBARA  FRIETCH1E. 

the  way  of  contamination.  The  soldier  with  a  rose,  to  tease 
the  Southern  young  ladies,  throws  the  -flower  at  LAURA.  She 
plucks  it  from  her  dress,  where  it  falls,  and  throws  it  after 
him  with  a  loud  "Eeh!"  of  disgust,  and  at  once  the  THREE 
GIRLS  together  begin  singing  "Dixie"  with  unmistakable  em 
phasis  till  the  laughing  soldiers  are  out  of  hearing. 

SALLY. 

[Sitting  beside  LAURA.]  I  wish  BAB  would  be  JACK'S 
sweetheart  for  good  and  all.  We  can't  do  anything  with  him 
home  now.  He  locks  himself  up  for  whole  days  and  answers 
so  queerly  sometimes  when  you  speak  to  him.  Mother  cries 
about  it. 

SUE. 
Did  BAB  ever  lead  him  on  ? 

SALLY. 

Well,  at  our  soldiers'  ball  she  danced  every  schottische 
with  him ! 

LAURA. 
She's  mad  because  he  won't  fight  for  the  South. 

SALLY. 

She's  no  right  to  be  mad  with  him  for  that  when  she's 
flirting  with  a  Yankee. 

SUE. 
And  while  they're  in  possession  of  our  town,  too ! 

SALLY. 
I  wish  her  brother  were  here. 

SUE. 

[Rising  proudly.]     Yes,  he  wouldn't  allow  it. 
[Leaning  over  again  to  try  and  listen.     The  other  Two 
GIRLS  exchange  amused  glances  at  SUE'S  expense. 

16 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SALLY. 

Of  course  you  think  ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE  wouldn't  allow 
anything ! 

SUE. 

[Trying  to  listen.}  Well,  ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE'S  with 
Stonewall  Jackson,  brave  boy !  and  that's  more  than  you  can 
say  for  your  beau. 

SALLY. 

The  only  reason  EDGAR  STRONG  didn't  go  was,  I  said  I'd 
never  speak  to  him  again  if  he  did ! 

SUE. 

I  said  that  to  ARTHUR,  and  he  said  he'd  have  to  go  all  the 
same.  But  I  kept  my  word ;  I  didn't  speak  to  him. 

SALLY. 
What  did  you  do  ? 

SUE. 
Hugged  and  kissed  him ! 

LAURA. 

The  whole  town  is  angry  about  BARBARA.  All  the  vestry 
men  of  our  church  were  at  the  house  this  afternoon,  begging 
MR.  FRIETCHIE  to  forbid  BARBARA'S  seeing  CAPT.  TRUM- 
BULL  any  more. 

SUE. 

BAB  adores  her  father.  I  wonder  what  would  happen  if 
she  were  called  on  to  choose  between  the  two? 

[  There  is  a  sudden  loud  discord  on  the  piano.  The  GIRLS 
look  up,  LAURA  and  SALLY  rising.']  Gracious!  There 
must  be  a  row ! 

[All  three,  with  their  arms  linked  about  each  other,  lean 
over  the  side  railing,  trying  to  overhear. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Inside.]     Oh !     How  dare  you !  how  dare  you ! 

[JACK'S  voice  is  heard  strained  and  harsh,  as  if  speaking 
beyond  his  control. 

JACK. 

[Inside.]  Very  well ;  I'll  go  to  the  war.  Do  you  hear 
me,  BAB?  I'll  go  and  fight  if  you  want  it!  I'll  go!  But 
not  to  fight  for  my  country ;  understand  that  ?  To  fight  him ! 
To  kill  this  damned  Northerner  who  has  taken  you  from  me ! 
You!  BARBARA  FRIETCHIE,  whom  I  love  better  than  the 
South,  better  than  my  life ! 

[  The  THREE  GIRLS  on  the  stoop  are  frightened.  After  a 
moment's  silence  the  front  door  is  Hung  back  and  JACK  comes 
out,  leaving  the  door  wide  open.  He  looks  wild  and  is  zvith- 
out  his  hat.  The  positions  of  the  GIRLS  on  the  steps  block 

his  way. 

JACK. 

Out  of  my  way !     Damn  all  women ! 
[The  GIRLS,  frightened,  make  way  for  him,  SALLY  seising 
hold  of  him  by  the  arm  to  stop  him. 

SALLY. 
JACK! 

JACK. 

[As  if  he  did  not  recognise  her  and  shaking  himself  rough 
ly  free.]  Let  go! 

[He  strides  down  the  steps. 

SALLY. 
JACK! 

JACK. 

[At  the  bottom  of  the  steps,  turns  and  looks  at  the  THREE 
GIRLS,  who,  frightened,  cling  together.  He  speaks  bitterly.] 
The  THREE  GRACES  !  Ha,  ha !  That's  what  some  sentimen- 

18 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

tal  idiots  would  call  you!  But  the  witches  from  Macbeth 
are  what  you  are !  Ha !  ha !  ha !  Liars !  cheats !  hags !  all  of 
you! 

[Laughs  again  as  he  goes  off  down  the  street  past  his 
house.  BARBARA  has  come  out  of  the  door  as  he  finishes 
speaking  and  stands  on  the  top  step.  As  he  goes  she  speaks 
after  him  in  a  voice  angry  and  excited,  yet  with  a  certain 
girlish  dignity. 

BARBARA. 

Call  us  what  you  like,  but  remember  that  we  women  love 
the  man  we  honor  and  give  our  lips  to  the  man  we  love ! 

BARBARA  is  a  ravishing  young  creature,  who  has  more  or 
less  willingly  "upset"  most  of  the  youth  of  the  town.  A 
loose,  delightful  curl  of  her  wavy,  dark  hair  lies  on  her  white 
neck,  held  in  place  by  a  red-pink  camelia.  Her  eyes  are  large 
and  beautiful  and  she  does  what  she  likes  with  them.  Her 
soul  is  awakening  within  her,  however,  and  her  coquetry  has 
seen  its  best  days.  She  is  dressed  in  a  billowy  mass  of  blue 
gauziness,  bare  neck,  save  for  a  blue  cameo,  and  bare  arms, 
save  for  two  lovely  dimples.  Another  camelia,  the  color  of 
her  lips,  is  caught  at  her  waist.  A  bit  of  a  black  ankle  strap 
shows  above  a  tiny  triangle  of  white  stocking. 

SALLY. 
BARBARA,  don't  mind  what  he  says. 

BARBARA. 

[Still  indignant.]  I  never  gave  your  brother  the  right  to 
speak  so  to  me ! 

SALLY. 
[Still  trying  to  pacify.]     He  doesn't  know  what  he  says. 

BARBARA. 
How  dared  he ! 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[Rearranging  the  short  sleeves  of  her  dress,  disarranged 
by  JACK'S  unwelcome  embrace. 

SALLY. 

BAB,  he's  out  of  his  head  for  love  of  you !     Can't  you  love 
him? 

BARBARA. 

[Sitting  on  the  top  step.]     You  can't  make  yourself  love, 
SALLY. 

SALLY. 

Yes,  you  can.     I  could  love  anybody. 
[Sitting  below  BARBARA. 

SUE. 

You  do !     You  love  everybody ! 
[Sitting  beside  BARBARA.     They  all  laugh  gaily. 

BARBARA. 

No,  seriously,  girls;  love  is  a  wilful,  adorable  child  that 
teases  you  till  you  give  him  his  own  way. 

LAURA. 

[Sitting  on  the  lower  step.]     Love  is  a  saint  that  stands 
always  by  you  and  blesses  you  when  you  find  and  know  him. 

SALLY. 

Love  is  a  magician  that  can  make  hearts  change  places  in  a 
second.     Presto  chango !  mine's  in 

BARBARA. 

[Interrupting  laughingly  and  taking  her  hand.]     Yours 
is  in  EDGAR  STRONG'S  breast  and  his  heart  takes  its  place. 

SUE. 

Love  isn't  Cupid  really.     He's  Jupiter  and  rules  all  the 
world. 

20 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

Love  is Girls,  I  think  love  is  a  man! 

[  They  laugh  merrily  again. 

SALLY. 
A  Yankee  man  ? 

BARBARA. 

[On  the  defensive.]     I  like  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 
[CoL.  NEGLY,  who  has  come  out  from  his  house,  now 
reaches  the  Frietchie  steps. 

COL.  NEGLY. 
[Bowing.]     Well,  young  ladies!  [BARBARA  rises. 

ALL. 
[Together.]     Good  evening,  COL.  NEGLY. 

SALLY. 
Good  evening,  father. 

COL.  NEGLY. 
BARBARA,  is  your  father  in  ? 

BARBARA. 
No,  sir ;  but  won't  you  sit  down  ? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

No,  thank  you.  I'm  afraid  Pd  be  taking  up  room  a 
younger  man  will  be  coming  after.  Pll  smoke  a  cigar  on  my 
own  steps  and  be  over  again  later  when  your  father's  back. 

BARBARA. 

Pll  tell  father,  sir. 

[Sitting  down.  NEGLY  strolls  back  to  his  steps,  lighting  a 
cigar.  He  sits  there  smoking,  scarcely  visible,  except  for  the 
glow  of  his  cigar  end.  EDGAR  STRONG  and  HAL  BOYD,  com- 


21 


BARBARA  FR1ETCHIE. 

ing  up  the  street,  reach  the  Frietchie  steps  and  salute  the 
young  ladies.  At  the  same  time  THREE  GIRLS,  arm  in  arm, 
come  from  the  opposite  side,  pass  the  tivo  young  men  and 
look  back  over  their  shoulders  as  they  pass  on  around  the 
Royce  corner  and  out  of  sight. 

HAL. 

[Standing  in  front  of  the  steps.]  Miss  LAURA,  may  I 
speak  to  you  a  minute  ? 

[The  THREE  GIRLS  "ahem!"  mischievously. 

LAURA. 

[Coming  down  and  joining  HAL  on  the  pavement.}  What 
is  it,  DR.  HAL? 

[He  takes  her  a  little  to  one  side.  The  murmur  of  the 
others'  voices  is  heard  during  their  few  private  speeches.  As 
they  leave  the  steps  SALLY  moves  nearer  to  SUE  and  BARBARA 
and  they  whisper  together. 

HAL. 

Persuade  SUE  to  go  in  and  play  on  the  piano.  Pretend  we 
want  to  dance  out  here.  EDGAR  will  take  SALLY,  too. 

LAURA. 
[Puzzled.]     But — 

HAL. 

[Interrupting.]  Don't  ask  any  questions;  just  trust  me. 
When  she  thinks  we're  dancing,  we  four'll  steal  for  a  walk  to 
the  cemetery  and  back. 

LAURA. 
But  BARBARA? 

HAL. 
BARBARA  will  be  grateful  to  you  when  she  understands. 

LAURA. 
And  /  will  be  grateful  to  you  when  I  do ! 

22 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

HAL. 
That'll  be  when  the  war's  over. 

LAURA. 

Not  till  then? 

HAL. 
Perhaps  before,  but  it's  serious.     Won't  you  help  me  ? 

LAURA. 
Of  course,  DR.  HAL.  [Turning  to  join  the  others. 

HAL. 
Be  careful,  EDGAR  and  SALLY  mustn't  suspect  any  plan. 

LAURA. 

Huh,  huh !     Girls,  wouldn't  it  be  fun  to  dance ! 
[STRONG  rises  when  LAURA  reaches  the  steps. 

SALLY. 
Oh,  my,  it's  so  warm ! 

LAURA. 
But  out  here  on  the  pavement. 

EDGAR. 
Yes.  Come  along,  SALLY. 

SUE. 
[Rises.]     Yes. 

BARBARA. 
[Rising.]     Shall  I  play  for  you? 

LAURA. 

[Quickly  going  to  BARBARA  and  pulling  her  down  toward 
HAL.]  No,  you  must  be  tired.  You've  been  singing  and 
playing  for  weeks.  SUE  will,  won't  you,  SUE  ? 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 
Yes,  indeedy !     What,  a  schottische  ? 

LAURA  AND  SALLY. 
Huh,  huh !  [SuE  goes  into  the  house. 

HAL. 

[Aside  to  BARBARA,  very  seriously.]  Stay  here  on  the 
steps,  no  matter  what  we  do. 

BARBARA. 
Why? 

SALLY. 

[  Turning  to  look  at  BARBARA  and  HAL.  ]  BAB,  stop  flirt 
ing  with  HAL  !  I  insist  he  shall  dance  with  LAURA. 

BARBARA. 

[With  a  mocking  courtesy  to  HAL.]  Oh,  certainly! 
[Laughingly.}  I'll  take  EDGAR. 

SALLY. 

[Seising  EDGAR  and  dragging  him  down  the  steps,  laugh 
ingly.}  No,  you  won't.  You  can  be  a  wallflower  for  once 
in  your  life. 

[SuE,  indoors,  begins  playing  a  seductive  schottische.  The 
two  couples  start  dancing.  BARBARA  watches  them  a  mo 
ment,  standing  on  the  lower  step.  HAL  nods  encouragingly 
and  meaningly  to  her  to  sit  down.  She  looks  puzzled,  but 
sits  on  the  top  step. 

LAURA. 

[While  dancing.}  Law,  SALLY!  have  you  seen  Alice 
Hager  dance  the  schottische  ? 

SALLY. 
[As  she  dances.}     No,  indeedy;  but  I've  seen  her  try  to! 


24 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

EDGAR. 
[While  dancing.]  I  can  go  you  one  better;  I've  tried  to 

dance  it  with  her ! 

HAL. 

[While  dancing.]  Well,  EDGAR,  you  have  my  sympathy! 
[Close  to  EDGAR  and  SALLY,  stops  dancing.]  Let's  play  a 
joke  on  SUE,  leave  her  playing  as  long  as  she  will  and  we  go 
for  a  walk.  [All  stop  dancing. 

SALLY. 
What  for? 

EDGAR. 
But  what  about  BARBARA  ? 

HAL. 

Oh,  she  won't  tell,  will  you,  BARBARA  ?  [  Gives  her  a  hint 
by  voice  and  manner  to  say  "No." 

BARBARA. 
No. 

LAURA. 

Come  along  then,  to  the  cemetery  and  back. 
[Taking  HAL'S  arm,  they  start  off  down  the  street,  turning 
to  wave  good-bye  to  BARBARA,  LAURA  throwing  a  kiss. 
SALLY  and  EDGAR  follow  behind  them,  also  turning  to  wave 

good-bye. 

SALLY. 

I  wonder  how  long  SUE  '11  keep  on  playing? 

[And  she  and  EDGAR  pass  out  of  sight.  From  the  Royce 
house  a  FIGURE  comes  stealthily,  wrapped  about  with  a  great 
cloak.  It  seems  like  a  gaunt  woman  in  the  dark.  It  steals 
across  the  garden,  keeping  close  to  the  side  of  the  Frietchie 
house,  and,  when  it  reaches  the  Royce  fence,  leans  over  care 
fully  and  reconnoitres.  Then  the  FIGURE  says  "Psst !"  twice 
and  adds  "BARBARA,"  softly,  to  attract  her  notice,  BARBARA 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

rises,  a  little  startled,  not  knowing  where  the  voice  comes 
from.  She  stands  still,  listening  to  hear  it  again.  At  this 
moment  SUE  calls  loudly  from  the  inside  with  friendly  satire: 
"Don't  be  afraid  to  say  when  you're  tired."  The  FIGURE 
draws  back  in  the  shadoiv  till  SUE  has  finished  speaking,  then 
again  leans  over  the  fence  and  calls  "BARBARA  !"  BARBARA 
hears  and  turns  to  see  zvho  it  is. 

BARBARA. 

[A  little  frightened.  ]  What  is  it  ?  Who  are  you  ?  What 
do  you  want  ? 

[The  FIGURE  whispers  "Sh!"  with  a  finger  on  its  lips; 
then  goes  swiftly  and  softly  along  the  fence,  out  by  the  gate 
to  the  Frietchie  stoop.  There  it  staggers,  but  catches  itself 
by  the  railing,  saying  "Sister!"  in  a  low  voice. 

BARBARA. 

[Going  down  a  step  or  two  toward  him.}     ARTHUR  ! 
[ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE  is  a  high-spirited  young  Southern 
soldier,  engaged  heart  and  soul  in  the  war. 

ARTHUR. 

I  was  wounded  yesterday  in  a  skirmish  on  the  Gettysburg 
pike.  The  Yankees  have  taken  Hagerstown,  but  I  managed 
not  to  get  caught,  crawled  here  and  have  been  all  day  at  the 
Royces'.  You  must  hide  me  in  our  cellar  till  I  can  get  well — 
or  die [He  sinks  on  the  second  step. 

BARBARA. 

[Beside  him,  tenderly.]  ARTHUR,  darling.  Quick! 
Some  one  will  see  you  !• 

[She  puts  her  arm  about  his  shoulder  and  he  tries  to  rise. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Calls  from  his  steps,  where  he  sits  smoking.}  No  sign  of 
your  father  yet,  BARBARA  ? 

26 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
No,  not  yet,  COLONEL  [SUE,  indoors,  stops  playing. 

SUE. 

If  I  play  another  note  I'll  get  the  St.  Vitus  dance ! 

[ARTHUR,  who  has  risen,  starts  and  looks  questioningly  at 
BARBARA. 

BARBARA. 

It's  SUE  ROYCE. 

SUE. 

[Parting  the  ruffled  white  Swiss  curtains  of  the  Frietchie 
parlor  window,  looks  out.]  I  reckon  you  take  me  for  a  hand 
organ !  Law !  not  a  soul ! 

[BARBARA  and  ARTHUR  keep  still  in  the  shadow  of  the 
doonvay.  SUE  laughs.]  Well,  if  that  isn't  a  good  joke  on 
me! 

[She  leaves  the  window,  BARBARA  and  ARTHUR  looking 
quickly  and  questioningly  at  each  other. 

ARTHUR. 
We  can  trust  SUE. 

BARBARA. 
Come! 

[She  has  her  arm  around  him,  as  he  is  very  weak,  and  they 
turn  to  enter  the  house.  At  this  moment  CAPT.  TRUMBULL, 
who  has  been  coming  slowly  along  past  the  Royce  fence, 
smoking  a  pipe,  reaches  the  Frietchie  steps.  He  pauses  to 
see  who  is  on  the  top  step.  At  the  same  moment  SUE  comes 
out,  and  the  door  opening,  a  flood  of  light  falls  on  BARBARA 
and  ARTHUR.  SUE  recognises  him -with  a  cry. 

SUE. 
ARTHUR  ! 

BARBARA. 
Hush !     Don't  speak  his  name ! 

27 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[TRUMBULL,  taking  his  pipe  out  of  his  month,  whistles 
softly  to  himself.  He  is  a  tall,  slender,  handsome  North 
erner,  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  a  Union  captain.  He  is  one 
of  those  fine-hearted,  open-souled  men,  who  are  loved  as 
baby,  boy,  and  man  by  every  one,  but  so  unconsciously,  so  far 
as  themselves  are  concerned,  as  to  never  be  spoiled.  Every 
girl  in  the  town,  rebel  or  no  rebel,  could  tell  you  his  eyes 
were  blue  and  his  mustache  golden.  His  fellow  soldiers 
swear  by  his  bravery  and  his  comradeship.  He  stands  still 
a  moment  and  then  makes  a  movement  to  go  up  the  steps, 
but  stops  himself  and  walks  along  leisurely  back  up  the 
street,  smoking  hard.  He  soon  turns  again  slozvly,  however, 
puts  away  his  pipe,  and,  going  up  the  Frietchie  steps,  raps 
with  the  iron  knocker.  As  he  stands  waiting  a  SEARCH 
GANG  of  EIGHT  UNION  SOLDIERS,  headed  by  a  SERGEANT, 
march  to  the  Royce  gate  and  are  led  through  the  garden  to 
the  front  door.  Meanwhile,  when  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  has 
knocked,  COL.  NEGLY  rises  and  leans  on  his  side  railing, 
speaking. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Unable  to  distinguish  in  the  dim  evening  light.]  Is  that 
you,  FRIETCHIE? 

TRUMBULL. 

No,  sir,  it's  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Angry.]  Oh,  I  know  you,  sir!  You're  a  damned  Yan 
kee,  sir. 

[The  Royce  door  is  opened  by  MAMMY  Lu,  and  the 
SEARCH  GANG  enter  the  house. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Amused.]     I'm  a  Union  soldier,  sir. 


28 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

So  was  I  a  soldier,  sir,  in  a  just  cause.  I  was  a  colonel  in 
the  Mexican  war,  sir ! 

TRUMBULL. 
I  am  glad  you  are  not  fighting  this  time,  COLONEL. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

I'm  not,  sir,  and  I'll  take  up  the  sword  again,  sir,  if  they 
need  me.  I'm  not  too  old  yet,  sir !  I  may  join  the  blessed 
South  in  a  fortnight,  sir.  [TRUMBULL  knocks  again. 

TRUMBULL. 

[Amused.]  I  might  keep  you  a  prisoner  here,  COLONEL, 
and  prevent  your  leaving  the  town. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

The  town  won't  be  yours,  sir,  in  a  fortnight !  There  won't 
be  a  damned  Yankee  left  in  the  place,  sir,  in  a  fortnight! 
[TRUMBULL  knocks  again,  this  time  more  loudly.}  And, 
thank  God,  sir,  while  you  Northerners  have  our  dear  town 
not  one  of  'em  dares  to  call  on  my  daughter,  sir.  FRIETCHIE'S 
got  to  stop  it  too,  sir !  We're  coming  to  have  a  word  with 
him.  [TRUMBULL  knocks  louder.]  Not  that  I  have  any 
thing  against  you  personally,  sir.  I'm  bound  to  believe  if  it 
weren't  for  the  war  you  might  be  a  gentleman,  sir. 

[The  Frietchie  door  is  opened  on  a  crack  by  BARBARA. 

BARBARA. 
Who  is  it? 

TRUMBULL. 
It  is  I,  Miss  BARBARA. 

Oh!  BARBARA- 

[She  puts  out  her  bare  arm  and  they  shake  hands.  There 
is  a  pause  of  embarrassment. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 
Fve  come  to  see  you.     Mayn't  I  come  in  ? 

BARBARA. 

[Comes  out  quickly,  closing  the  door  behind  her.]  Oh, 
yes,  indeedy!  Do,  CAPT.  TRUMBULL;  only  don't  you  think 
it's  cooler  and  pleasanter  out  here  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
Perhaps,  only  please  leave  the  door  open. 

BARBARA. 
[Nervous,  a  little  alarmed. ]     Why  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
Perhaps  it's  because  I  want  to  see  your  face ! 

BARBARA. 

Or  let  me  see  yours.  They  say  you  Northerners  are  all 
vain. 

TRUMBULL. 

Miss  BARBARA,  please  leave  the  door  open.  I  have  a  good 
reason. 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  very  well,  if  you're  going  to  be  melancholy  over  it ! 
[She  opens  the  door,  the  light  from  the  hall  floods  the  steps. 
BARBARA  sits  in  the  middle  of  the  top  step,  her  dress  spread 
out  as  if  she  were  barring  the  way.  TRUMBULL  sits  below 
her  The  PROVOST  GUARD  is  seen  coming  out  of  the  Royce 
house.  They  are  followed  to  the  gate  by  MAMMY  Lu,  who 
is  very  angry  with  them. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Is  you  f roo  ?  Bress  de  Lawd  ?  Is  you  done  giv'  up  fin'in' 
any  pore  Southern  sojers  hyah?  Ain't  you  gwine  to  look 
inside  the  roses  a-growing  on  de  bushes,  you  devils?  And 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

didn't  yer  forget  to  look  under  the  stah  carpet  ?  And  dere's 
the  kitchen  closet ;  you  oughter  look  in  the  flour  barrel  and 
inside  the  chickens'  eggs,  too!  The  hens  hyah  hide  little 
Rebs  in  dem,  sure ! 

BARBARA. 
[Rises,  frightened.]     A  search  gang? 

TRUMBULL. 
A  provost's  guard. 
[She  turns  to  shut  the  door.     TRUMBULL  also  rises. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Firmly.  ]     Miss  BARBARA,  don't  close  that  door ! 

BARBARA. 

[Recovering  herself.]  Why  should  I?  I've  nothing  to 
fear  from  them.  They  won't  try  to  search  here. 

[She  sits  again  on  the  top  step.  The  SOLDIERS  pay  no  at 
tention  to  the  OLD  MAMMY,  who  is  furious,  and,  as  the  last 
man  passes  out,  the  SERGEANT  calls:  "Good  night,  Venus !" 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Don'  you  call  me  no  names,  you  low  down  white  trash 
you !  You  devils !  [She  slams  the  gate  and  goes  back  into 
the  house,  muttering  to  herself:  "I'm  a  'spectable  culled  lady, 
I  is !  I  ain't  taking  no  back  talk  from  no  ornry  sojers !  No, 
siree!" 

[The  SOLDIERS  are  led  to  the  Frietchie  house,  where  they 
halt.  The  SERGEANT  and  MEN  salute. 

SERGEANT. 

We  have  orders,  CAPTAIN,,  to  search  every  house  in  this 
quarter  of  the  town.  Information  has  reached  headquarters 
that  several  families  in  this  neighborhood  are  harboring 
Union  deserters  and  Rebel  spies. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Rises.]     There  is  no  spy  in  this  house ! 

SERGEANT. 

How  about  Union  deserters  and  Rebel  soldiers?  At  any 
rate,  our  orders  are  to  search  every  house.  You  will  pardon 
me,  madam.  [He  starts  up  the  steps,  the  MEN  following. 

BARBARA. 
[  Coining  doivn  a  step.  ]     There  is  no  one  here ! 

SERGEANT. 

[Roughly.]     Stand  aside;  your  word's  not  enough! 
[Raises  his  arm  to  push  past  her. 

TRUMBULL. 
One  minute,  SERGEANT  !     This  lady's  word  is  sufficient  for 

me! 

SERGEANT. 

I  have  orders 

TRUMBULL. 

[Interrupting.]  I  will  be  responsible  for  this  house,  that 
there  is  no  one  in  it.  You  are  not  to  search.  Refer  to  me  at 

headquarters. 

SERGEANT. 

[Goingsdown  the  steps.]     Very  well,  CAPTAIN. 

TRUMBULL. 
By  the  way,  SERGEANT?  [SERGEANT  and  MEN  stop. 

SERGEANT. 
Yes,  CAPTAIN. 

TRUMBULL. 

Pm  not  responsible  for  the  house  next  door;  you'd  better 
search  that ! 

SERGEANT. 
Yes,  CAPTAIN  !    March ! 

33 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[He  leads  the  MEN  to  NEGLY'S  steps. 

BARBARA. 
[Laughingly  mischievously.]     Oh,  he'll  be  furious ! 

SERGEANT. 
[At  Negly's  steps.]     Halt !     [The  MEN  halt. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Who  has  risen  in  a  rage  as  the  SERGEANT  and  MEN  come 
to  his  steps.]  By  Gawd !  it's  an  outrage !  You'll  not  search 

my  house ! 

SERGEANT. 

Will  you  open  the  door,  sir,  or  shall  we  break  it  in  ? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

If  you  dare  break  my  door,  sir !  No,  sir !  Come  in  and 
search.  You'll  find  nothing,  sir,  not  even  a  Southern  wel 
come,  sir ! 

[  They  go  into  the  house.  MAMMY  Lu  appears  at  an  upper 
window  of  the  Royce  house,  shaking  her  dust  cloth  and 
muttering  angrily  at  the  SOLDIERS  till  they  are  out  of  sight. 
BARBARA  and  TRUMBULL  have  listened.  They  laugh  gently 
at  COL.  NEGLY.  Then  BARBARA  sits  on  the  top  step  again 
and  holds  out  her  hand  to  TRUMBULL. 

BARBARA. 
[Softly.]     Thank  you. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Standing  before  her.]     If  he  is  a  spy 

BARBARA. 

Who? 

TRUMBULL. 

[Meaningly.]  If  he  is  a  spy,  you  must  keep  him  prisoner 
or  make  him  do  no  spy's  work  this  visit,  for  my  sake. 


33 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
What  do  you  know  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
I  saw  your  brother  enter. 

BARBARA. 
On  my  honor,  he's  not  a  spy ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Good !  for  him  and  me.         [He  sits  on  the  steps  below  her. 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  what  a  pity  you  are  what  you  are ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Oh,  thank  you ! 

BARBARA. 

You  know  what  I  mean.     My  father's  a  Rebel,  my  broth 
er's  a  Rebel,  Fm  a  Rebel,  and  you 

TRUMBULL. 

T> 

BARBARA. 
You're  a  Yankee ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Is  that  all? 

BARBARA. 
No [Teasingly.]     You're  handsome ! 

TRUMBULL. 
[Terribly  embarrassed.]     Miss  FRIETCHIE — please! 

BARBARA. 
Of  course  for  a  Yankee  I  mean — handsome  for  a  Yankee! 

TRUMBULL. 
But 

34 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Interrupting.]  And  you're  rather  nice — for  a  Yankee! 
They've  finished  with  the  Neglys. 

[She  rises  and  TRUMBULL  also.  As  the  PROVOST  GUARD 
comes  out  of  the  Negly  house  and  down  the  steps,  NEGLY  has 
followed  them  out  and  is  seen  smoking  furiously  on  his  steps. 

TRUMBULL. 

The  old  gentleman  is  smoking  like  a  house  on  fire. 
[Both  laugh  gently. 

TRUMBULL. 

By  the  way,  SERGEANT,  have  you  heard  anything  of  those 
two  men  who  deserted  last  week  from  my  regiment  ? 

SERGEANT. 
[Turning  to  him.]     What  men,  CAPTAIN? 

TRUMBULL. 
FRED  GELWEX  and  TIM  GREENE. 

SERGEANT. 

Oh,  GELWEX  and  GREENE.  No,  sir.  Heard  nothing 
good,  sir. 

TRUMBULL. 
They  haven't  been  caught  ? 

SERGEANT. 

No,  CAPTAIN  ;  but  they  swore  before  they  cleared  out  to 
pay  you  back  some  day,  sir. 

TRUMBULL. 

They  were  both  a  bad  lot,  always  drunk.  They're  a  good 
riddance. 

SERGEANT. 

It's  believed  they're  of!  to  join  the  Rebels  at  Hagerstown, 
sin 

35 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 
The  Rebels  are  welcome.  [Turning  back  to  BARBARA. 

SERGEANT. 

Yes,  CAPTAIN.     [Salutes,  turns  to  his  MEN.]     March! 
[The  SERGEANT  and  SOLDIERS  pass  on  down  the  street  to 
search  the  other  houses. 

BARBARA. 
Would  you  fight  for  our  side? 

TRUMBULL. 
[Very  quietly.]     No. 

BARBARA. 
Not  even  for  my  sake,  not  if  I  begged  you  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
[Still  quietly.}     No! 

BARBARA. 
And  yet  you  pretend  to  care  for  me  ? 

TRUMBULL. 

[Seising  the  chance  to  tease  a  little  himself.}  What  makes 
you  think  so  ? 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  you 

TRUMBULL. 
Yankee! 

BARBARA. 

Yes.  No  Rebel  would  have  been  rude  enough  to  take  that 
advantage  of  me!  But  I'll  tell  you  how  you  can  make  up 
for  it. 

TRUMBULL. 
How? 

BARBARA. 
By  telling  me  outright  what  you  do  think  of  me. 

36 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 
Oh,  no,  no.     I  daren't ! 

BARBARA. 
[  Uneasy.  ]     Why  not  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
You  haven't  told  me  what  you  thought  of  me. 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  I  have ;  that  you  were  very,  very  nice — for  a  Yankee. 

TRUMBULL. 

Well,  then,  I  think  you  are  very,  very  adorable — for  a 
Rebel. 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  I'm  tired  of  hearing  so  much  of  Rebel  and  Yankee ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Good !    So  am  I.     Would  you  be  a  Yankee  for  my  sake  ? 

BARBARA. 

[Angry.  ]     What !  against  the  South  ?     My  South !     How 
dare  you  ask  me  that  ? 

TRUMBULL. 
It's  no  more  than  you  asked  me ! 

BARBARA. 
But  the  North  is  wrong ;  the  South  is  right ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Oh! 

BARBARA. 

You  are  the  aggressive  party.     We  only  ask  to  be  left 
alone ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Left  alone  to  do  what  you  shouldn't. 


37 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

We  don't  acknowledge  any  authority  of  yours  to  dictate  to 
us  what  is  right  and  wrong. 

TRUMBULL. 
You  think  it  right  to  own  slaves  ? 

BARBARA. 

Yes !  There  isn't  a  darkey  on  our  place  who  doesn't  love 
us,  and  we  love  them. 

TRUMBULL. 

You  hold  it  right  to  buy  and  sell  human  flesh,  to  take  the 
young  child  from  its  mother,  the  wife  from  her  husband 

BARBARA. 
[Interrupting.}     How  dare  you  repeat  those  things  to  me? 

TRUMBULL. 
I  speak  the  truth.     Here,  in  this  very  house 

BARBARA. 

[More  angry.]  Stop !  I  won't  listen.  Not  to  those  black 
guard  lies  from  Union  papers ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Ah !  you  know  what  I  say  is  true. 

BARBARA. 

[Rising,  furious.  ]  No,  lies !  lies !  Confound  all  you  Yan 
kee  liars ! 

TRUMBULL. 
[Rising.]     Miss  FRIETCHIE 

BARBARA. 

The  South !  I'd  die  for  her.  And  you  ask  me  if  I'd  give 
her  up,  you  with  your  Northern  lies  about  her !  You've  seen 
the  flagpost  on  our  house.  There  used  to  fly  from  it  an 

38 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

American  flag,  given  my  grandfather  by  Thomas  Jefferson ; 
but,  when  this  war  broke  out,  we  tore  it  down  in  rags ! 

TRUMBULL. 

Good  night. 

BARBARA. 

[Still  angry.]  Good  night!  [TRUMBULL  goes  up  the 
street  angrily,  firmly.  BARBARA  goes  to  the  side  of  the  steps, 
and,  leaning  over,  whispers  timidly.}  CAPTAIN  TRUM 
BULL [TRUMBULL  reaches  the  Royce  corner  without 

turning.    BARBARA  repeats  in  a  whisper,  a  more  coaxing  one: 

CAPT.  TRUMBULL [He  hesitates  a  moment,  and  then, 

turning,  comes  toward  her  slowly,  expecting  her  to  speak. 
He  comes  beside  the  steps.  She  stands  on  the  top  one,  lean 
ing  against  the  column  of  the  balcony.}  "  'Tis  but  thy  name 

that  is  my  enemy !" 

TRUMBULL. 

[With  his  two  arms  leaning  against  the  railing,  not  yet  un 
derstanding  that  it  is  a  quotation.}  That's  -right,  Miss 

FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

"What's  in  a  name?  That  which  we  call  a  rose  by  any 
other  name  would  smell  as  sweet ;  so  Romeo  would  were  he 

not  Romeo  called." 

TRUMBULL. 

[Delighted,  recognizing  the  lines  now.}  By  George!  yes, 
that's  it !  You  and  I — Romeo  and  Juliet ! 

BARBARA. 
But  Romeo  promised  to  forswear  his  name  for  Juliet. 

TRUMBULL. 
I  don't  blame  him  if  Juliet  were  a  "Rebel !" 

BARBARA. 
Then  you  will  forswear  yours  ? 

39 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 
Oh,  no! 

BARBARA. 
Then  Romeo  was  no  Yankee ! 

TRUMBULL. 

He  was  a  lover,  that's  enough,  and  so  am  I !  But  don't  let 
us  be  like  those  unlucky  duffers.  Let  us  live  and  be  happy, 
in  spite  of  the  war.  You  do  love  me  a  little,  BARBARA  ? 

BARBARA. 

[Leaning  over  and  giving  him  her  hand.}  Come  back  up 
on  the  steps ! 

[Keeping  hold  of  her  hand,  he  comes  around  the  railing 
and  joins  her. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Pointing  up.}     You  see  that  star? 

BARBARA. 

[Laughing,  shakes  her  head  at  him.}  Oh,  no!  no  you 
don't !  Nearly  every  man  in  Frederick  has  tried  to  show  me 
that  star ! 

TRUMBULL. 

No,  I  wasn't  going  to  play  a  trick.  I  don't  want  kisses  I 
have  to  steal  from  you. 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  dear  me !  Aren't  you  particular  about  your  old  kisses ! 

TRUMBULL. 
BARBARA,  will  you  kiss  me? 

BARBARA. 
No! 

TRUMBULL. 
Ah !  BARBARA,  will  you  marry  me  ? 


40 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
What? 

TRUMBULL. 

Will  you  be  my  wife  ? 

BARBARA. 

[After  a  decided  pause,  trying  to  turn  from  him,  not  dar 
ing  to  look  into  his  face,  lets  him  seize  her  hand,  and  then 
turns  impulsively,  lifts  her  eyes,  which  are  ivet,  to  his,  and 
smiling,  whispers.}  Yes!  [He  holds  her  close  in  his  arms 
for  a  moment.  Then  she  raises  her  head0  and,  half  playfully, 
speaks  to  him.]  Step  down — only  one  step!  [He  steps 
down  one  step.]  Do  you  see  that  star?  [Pointing. 

TRUMBULL. 
Where?     [Looking  up. 

BARBARA. 
There!     [Kissing  him.]     I  like  stolen  kisses  best! 

TRUMBULL. 

[Again  taking  her  into  his  arms.]  My  little  Rebel!  My 
Rebel ! 

BARBARA. 

Yes,  my  Yankee  IQVG,  my  soldier!  Still  a  Rebel,  though 
Pll  be  your  wife.  I've  fought  against  it  all  I  could.  I've 
been  silly  and  wilful  and  frivolous  with  you,  but  you  saw  be 
hind  my  woman's  barricade.  [She  sits  on  the  top  step. 

TRUMBULL. 
Yes,  I  saw  you ! 

[Sitting  on  the  step  below  her  and  taking  both  her  hands 
in  his. 

BARBARA. 

I  love  you !  I've  tried  not  to,  but  a  love  like  mine  must 
rule  even  in  the  heart  it  dwells  in.  I  think  its  only  master 

41 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

can  be  God.  For,  though  I  love  my  father  dearly,  dearly! 
though  I  love  my  brother  second  best,  and  love  this  house 
where  mother  taught  me  everything  I  know — including  pray 
ers — and  love  this  town — the  very  bricks  of  the  streets 
through  which  I've  wandered  into  girlhood — and  Maryland 
and  all  the  South,  the  blessed,  sweet,  dear  South,  still  you, 
you  Northerner — you  Yankee! — you,  my  soldier  lover — I 
love  you  most! 

[He  embraces  her,  she  rests  in  his  arms.  FRIETCHIE,  com 
ing  along  the  street,  reaches  the  Negly  house,  and  is  observed 
by  NEGLY,  who  rises. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

Is  that  you,  FRIETCHIE? 

[The  lovers  start  apart,  and,  rising,  listen. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[A  handsome  old  gentleman,  with  fine  face  and  sympa 
thetic  manner.  He  is  such  a  man  as  Stuart  would  have 
loved  to  paint;  a  noble  character,  but  a  poor  politician;  stub 
born  but  human.]  Yes.  Have  you  heard  the  Northerners 
are  in  possession  of  Hagerstown,  too,  but  our  men  are  going 
to  try  and  take  it  back. 

[BARBARA  and  TRUMBULL  close  the  front  door  and  stand 

again  in  the  dim  light. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

Come  up  here.  That  isn't  all  the  Northerners  are  taking ! 
There's  something  you  must  keep  out  of  their  hands, 
FRIETCHIE  !  Come  up. 

[FRIETCHIE  joins  NEGLY  on  his  steps. 

TRUMBULL. 
Trouble  in  Hagerstown ;  I  shall  have  to  go. 

BARBARA. 
No.  [Putting  her  hand  upon  his  arm. 

42 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Kissing  her  hand.]     Yes ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
Well,  what's  your  news  ? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Clearing  his  throat.]     It's  a  delicate  matter. 
[He  hesitates. 

BARBARA. 

[Softly  to  TRUMBULL.]      I  know,  SALLY  told  me;  it's 
about  us. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

After  all,  if  you  don't  mind,  I'd  rather  tell  you  inside. 
It's  about  the  man  over  there  on  your  steps. 

FRIETCHIE. 
[Looking,  btit  it  is  too  dark  to  see.]     With  BARBARA? 

COL.  NEGLY. 
[Strong.]     Yes! 

FRIETCHIE. 
CAPTAIN  TRUMBULL? 

COL.  NEGLY. 
Yes,  damn  him ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

By  thunder,  you're  right !     I  won't  have  it ! 
[The  two  couples  are  heard  in  the  distance  coming  back 
from  their  walk.     They  are  singing  "Listen  to  the  Mocking 
Bird/' 

COL.  NEGLY. 

The  whole  town's  excited  over  it.     Let's  talk  it  over  inside. 
[  They  enter  the  Negly  house.    TRUMBULL  whistles. 


43 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

Exactly!  Whistle  for  me,  too!  Here  come  the  GIRLS. 
They've  been  for  a  walk. 

[SALLY  and  EDGAR,  LAURA  and  HAL,  both  couples  arm  in 
arm,  come  along  the  street,  past  the  Negly  house.  As  they 
reach  the  Frietchie  steps  TRUMBULL  rises. 

SALLY. 

We've  had  a  beautiful [She  stops  as  she  sees  the  fig 
ure  of  TRUMBULL. 

BARBARA. 
Sit  down ! 

LAURA. 

[Coming  up  behind  SALLY.]     Of  course,  we're  dead  tir — 
[Breaking  off  as  she  sees  the  Union  officer. 

SALLY. 

[Very  pointedly.}  Excuse  me — who's  with  you,  BAR 
BARA? 

BARBARA. 
CAPTAIN  TRUMBULL. 

LAURA. 
That  Yankee ! 

[She  lifts  her  skirts  away  and  draws  back  almost  to  the 
-urbstone. 

SALLY. 
Excuse  me!  [Following  LAURA'S  example. 

EDGAR. 
Good  night,  BARBARA  ! 

SALLY. 
[At  the  same  time.]  Good  evening! 

LAURA. 
Good  evening ! 

44 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[They  continue  on  up  the  street,  singing  "Dixie"  with 
marked  emphasis,  the  GIRLS  tossing  their  heads  high  in  the 
air  as  they  pass  TRUMBULL,  turning  at  the  corner  to  fling 
back  "Dixie"  in  his  face. 

BARBARA. 
My  friends  are  polite ! 

TRUMBULL. 
And  your  father  ? 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  father  won't  be  like  that. 

TRUMBULL. 
No? 

BARBARA. 
No,  he'll  be  worse ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Worse? 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  father'll  be  something  awful ! 

TRUMBULL. 
But  you'll  persuade  him  ? 

BARBARA. 
Perhaps — in  time. 

TRUMBULL. 
In  time?     To-night! 

BARBARA. 
To-night? 

TRUMBULL. 
I  mean  to  ask  him  to-night ! 

BARBARA. 
No,  no !    You'll  never  dare ! 


45 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 

Oh,  yes,  I  will.  I  may  be  off  to  Hagerstown  to  fight  in  the 
morning,  and  I  won't  leave  here  without  telling  your  father. 
I'll  not  give  him  a  chance  to  say  I  stole  your  heart  on  the  sly 
and  was  afraid  or  ashamed  to  ask  for  it  outright. 

[NEGLY  and  FRIETCHIE  come  out  of  NEGLY/S  house.    Both 

are  excited. 

FRIETCHIE. 

Come  over  and  hear  me.  I'll  give  him  his  conge  to-night ! 
Now !  [  They  come  down  the  steps  and  go  to  FRIETCHIE' s 

house. 

BARBARA. 

He's  coming  over.     Not  now !  not  now ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Yes,  now ! 

BARBARA. 

[Giving  him  her  hand.}     Then  I'll  stand  by  you. 
[She  drops  his  hand,  however,  as  NEGLY  and  FRIETCHIE 
reach  the  steps. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Good  evening,  daughter.  Sir ! 

BARBARA. 
[Interrupts.]     CAPT.  TRUMBULL,  father! 

FRIETCHIE. 
Sir! 

TRUMBULL. 
[Interrupts.]  Good  evening,  sir ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
Sir !  Allow  me  a  word ! 

TRUMBULL. 
[Interrupting.}  Pardon  me!  Good  evening,  COL. 

46 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

NEGLY.     [CoL.  NEGLY  snorts.     To  FRIETCHIE]     You  were 
about  to  say,  sir  ? 

FRIETCHIE. 

I  was  about  to  say,  sir,  in  the  politest  terms  I  am  able  to 
master,  that  the  door  of  my  house  from  to-night  on  is  shut  to 
you,  sir.  My  daughter  nor  no  one  in  my  house  is  at  home  to 
you,  sir — not  to  you  nor  to  any  other  damned  Yankee !  Have 
I  made  myself  clear,  NEGLY,  or  has  my  effort  at  politeness 
concealed  my  meaning  ? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

No,  sir,  you  have  voiced  all  our  sentiments  clearly. 

BARBARA. 
But,  father? 

FRIETCHIE. 
I've  not  addressed  you,  BARBARA.    Go  in  the  house. 

BARBARA. 
I  won't ! 

TRUMBULL. 

[Coming  down  a  step.}  Is  your  prejudice  merely  based 
upon  my  being  a  Union  officer  ? 

FRIETCHIE. 

I  cannot  parley  words  with  you,  sir.  My  prejudice  is 
fixed  and  unalterable.  If  you  are  a  gentleman,  what  I  have 
said  ought  to  be  sufficient. 

TRUMBULL. 
No,  sir,  being  a  gentleman,  I  resent 

COL.  NEGLY. 
[Interrupts.]     You  resent,  sir? 

TRUMBULL. 

I  am  not  on  your  steps,  COL.  NEGLY. 

* 

47 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

COL.  NEGLY. 
No,  thank  God ! 

TRUMBULL. 
May  I  have  a  word  with  you  in  private,  MR.  FRIETCHIE? 

FRIETCHIE. 

No,  sir !     I  will  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  will  consider  this 
interview  is  terminated,  sir ! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
Right,  FRIETCHIE  ! 

TRUMBULL. 

That  cannot  be,  sir,  until  I  tell  you  that [A  pause.] 

I  love  your  daughter !  [He  waits  for  the  exclamation  he  ex 
pects  from  the  Two  MEN,  but  both  start  back  in  silence,  too 
stunned  to  make  a  sound.}  I  love  your  daughter,  and  have 
asked  her  to-night  to  be  my  wife ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
What! 

TRUMBULL. 
To  be  my  wife ! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
[With  great  emphasis.}  No  siree! 

TRUMBULL. 
[To  NEGLY.]  I  am  not  asking  you  for  your  daughter  sir ! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
No,  thank  God ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

Never!     Do  you  hear  me!     Give  him  his  answer,  BAR 
BARA! 

BARBARA. 
I  have  already ! 

48 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

FRIETCHIE. 
[  To  TRUMBULL.]     Wasn't  that  enough,  sir  ? 

TRUMEULL. 
[After  a  quick  look  exchanged  with  BARBARA.]     Quite ! 

BARBARA. 
[Taking  TRUMBULI/S  hand.]     I  said  yes,  father! 

FRIETCHIE 

What !  You  said  yes  ?  You'd  give  yourself  to  this  Yan 
kee  nobody,  who  comes  here  to  rob  you  of  all  you  have,  make 
your  father  penniless  and  take  your  very  brother's  life  if  he 
can?  No!  [He  seizes  her  ivrist  and  drags  her  hand  out  of 
TRUMBULI/S.]  I'd  sooner  give  you  to  the  first  Confederate 
deserter  that  came  crawling  along  the  road  and  feel  surer  of 
your  happiness !  Go  into  the  house ! 

BARBARA. 
No,  father ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Your  insult  I  pass  over,  sir,  for  your  daughter's  sake 

FRIETCHIE. 

[To  BARBARA.]  Do  as  I  bid  you ;  go  to  your  own  room ! 
Your  father  will  take  care  of  you,  in  spite  of  yourself.  [She 
goes  into  the  house,  with  a  meaning  look  at  TRUMBULL,  who 
makes  a  movement  toward  her,  stopped  by  FRIETCHIE.] 
Come  in,  too,  NEGLY. 

[NEGLY  goes  into  the  house,  giving  a  loud  snort  as  he 

passes  TRUMBULL. 

TRUMBULL. 

[To  FRIETCHIE.]  Sir,  if  you  wish  credentials  of  my  char 
acter  and  family 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Turns  on  top  step  and  looks  fiercely  at  TRUMBULL.] 


49 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

Damn  you,  sir,  good  night!     [Enters  house  and  slams  the 
door. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[Opening  the  door  on  a  crack.]  And  damn  your  family, 
too,  sir ! 

[Shuts  the  door.  TRUMBULL  stands  a  moment  undecided. 
The  shutters  above  leading  on  to  the  balcony  softly  open.  An 
ORDERLY  comes  quickly  around  the  Royce  corner,  and,  com 
ing  to  TRUMBULL,  salutes  him.  TRUMBULL  returns  the 
salute.  BARBARA  comes  softly  out  into  the  moonlight  on  the 
balcony. 

ORDERLY. 

[Who  speaks  with  some  force,  and  suppressed  excite 
ment.}  Orders  to  break  and  start  for  Hagerstown  at  day 
break,  CAPTAIN,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Reno ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Very  well.     I'll  be  with  the  men  at  once. 

ORDERLY. 

Gen.  Lee  is  advancing  with  his  whole  army.  Expecta 
tions  of  heavy  righting  early  in  the  morning ! 

TRUMBULL. 
That's  bad  news,  PERKINS. 

ORDERLY. 

Yes,  sir. 

[Salutes  and  goes  down  the  street  quickly.  TRUMBULL 
turns,  about  to  follow  him,  but  stops  to  take  a  farewell  look 
at  BARBARA'S  house.  He  sees  BARBARA  on  the  balcony. 

BARBARA. 
Pst! 
[Leaning  over,  she  whispers.]     More  Romeo  and  Juliet! 


Photo  by  Byron. 
"Listen  !     I 


tin'  Lutheran  Minister  there  .'     I'll  be  at  his  house  at  noon. 
I'll  marry  vox  all  the  same.'" 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 

[Going  nearer  and  standing  under  the  side  of  the  bal 
cony.]  Yes. 

BARBARA. 
Tomorrow ! 

TRUMBULL. 

[Eagerly.]  To-morrow!  [His  voice  changes  suddenly 
as  he  realizes.]  To-morrow ! — I'm  off  to  Hagerstown  at  day 
break! 

BARBARA. 
[Disappointed.]     Hagerstown  at  daybreak? 

FRIETCHIE. 
[ In  the  house.  ]     BARBARA  ! 

BARBARA. 

[Over  her  shoulder,  looking  back.}  Yes,  father!  [She 
turns  again  to  TRUMBULL  and  leans  far  over.]  Listen! 
I  know  the  Lutheran  minister  there !  I'll  be  at  his  house  at 
noon.  I'll  marry  you  all  the  same ! 

[She  unfastens  the  camelia  at  her  waist,  kisses  it,  and 
throws  the  flower  down  to  him;  then  hurries  into  the  house. 
Just  as  TRUMBULL  catches  the  flower  a  distant  bugle  call  is 
heard.  He  thrusts  the  camelia  into  his  coat,  wheels  about 
sharply,  and  goes  on  straight  down  the  street,  turning  the 
Royce  corner  without  looking  back  again  as 
The  Curtain  Falls. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 


THE  SECOND  ACT. 

THE  LUTHERAN  MINISTER^  HOUSE  IN  HAGERSTOWN. 


'JA  pleasant  looking  room,  whose  walls  are  covered  with 
large  flowered,  green  striped  paper;  faded  strong  green  rep 
curtains  are  at  the  windows,  and  the  rosewood  furniture  is 
somewhat  uninvitingly  covered  with  haircloth.  A  bright,  big 
figured  carpet  is  on  the  -floor.  A  stand  of  geraniums  in  bloom 
is  between  the  windows,  and  a  canary  bird  in  a  cage  sings  in 
termittently  in  one.  There  are  two  well-painted  portraits  on 
the  walls,  one  of  MRS.  HUNTER,  at  the  age  of  six,  with  a 
small  head  and  a  large  hoop,  leaning  against  a  marble  col 
umn  that  supports  a  blue  but  cloudy  sky,  and  a  big,  trouble 
some  red  curtain;  the  other  portrait,  of  her  father,  done  by 
an  itinerant  artist  in  exchange  for  a  suit  of  well-worn  clothes, 
does  not  admit  of  description.  There  are  some  interesting 
family  photographs  in  round  gilt  and  black  frames.  There 
is  a  white  marble-topped  centre  table,  with  a  lamp  upon  it,  on 
a  worsted  mat,  and  a  dozen  freshly  made  glasses  of  currant 
jelly  standing  to  get  cool.  There  are  two  walnut  "zvhat- 
nots"  in  the  room,  boasting  of  sea  shells,  small  statuettes  and 
other  like  objets  d'art  of  the  period.  The  clock  upon  the 
mantel,  flanked  by  two  vases  of  dyed  dry  grasses,  points  to 
i /.jo  of  a  sunny  morning.  BARBARA  and  SUE  are  seen  pass- 

52 


Photo  by  Bypon. 


Julia  Marlowe. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

ing  quickly  by  the  windows,  and  a  minute  after  MRS.  HUN 
TER  shows  the  two  young  ladies  into  her  parlor.  MRS. 
HUNTER  is  a  sweet,  placid  looking  woman,  with  gray  hair  in 
smooth  bands.  She  is  a  motherly  creature  and  wears  a  plain 
morning  cap  on  her  head.  BARBARA  and  SUE  are  dressed 
in  their  very  best,  carrying  fans  and  little  parasols,  and  are 
happily  excited. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Come  right  in  here,  young  ladies,  and  wait. 

BARBARA. 
[As  she  and  SUE  enter.]     Thank  you,  MRS.  HUNTER. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Sit  down. 

[BARBARA  sits  on  one  side  of  the  centre  table,  SUE  on  the 
other,  both  saying  "Thank  you,"  and  always  showing  their 
only  half  suppressed  excitement. 

Make  yourselves  quite  at  home.     How  did  you  come  over  ? 

[She  sits  behind  the  table,  and,  taking  up  a  large  family 
work  basket,  begins  to  do  some  darning. 

BARBARA. 

Miss  ROYCE'S  old  colored  man  drove  us  over  with  their 
fast  horses. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
You  must  be  tired  ? 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  no !  not  a  bit !     Are  we,  SUE  ? 

SUE. 
Well,  I  don't  suppose  you  are,  but  /  am ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
I  expect  the  Minister  back  every  minute.     He's  out  after 


53 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

news.  We  heard  the  Confederate  troops  were  going  to  try 
and  retake  Hagerstown  to-day.  How's  your  pa?  [Pro 
nounced  "paw" 

BARBARA. 

He  was  very  well  this  morning,  thank  you,  MRS.  HUNTER, 
but  I'm  afraid  he  won't  be  at  all  well  this  afternoon. 

[Exchanging  a  meaning  look  with  SUE,  she  goes  nervous 
ly  to  the  window  and  looks  out. 

SUE. 

If  he  don't  lose  his  mind  altogether,  like  poor  JACK  NEGLY, 
it'll  be  a  godsend ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
You  don't  mean  COL.  NEGLY'S  son? 

SUE. 
Yes,  he's  been  queer  for  a  long  time.     But  goodness !  since 

BARBARA  jilted  him 

BARBARA. 

[Turning  about  at  the  window,  tries  to  stop  her.]     SUE! 
[She  turns  her  head  again  to  look  out  of  the  window. 

SUE. 

Well !  you  know  what  I  mean.  BARBARA  won't  have  him, 
MRS.  HUNTER,  and  this  morning 

BARBARA. 
SUE!  [Coming  back  to  behind  MRS.  HUNTER. 

SUE. 

Well,  he  behaved  in  the  craziest  kind  of  a  way,  and  he's 
trying  his  best  to  get  out  of  Frederick  and  enlist  in  our 
army !  His  own  mother  says  it's  a  crime,  that  he  ought  to 
be  shut  up  in  an  asylum.  And  COL.  NEGLY'S  turned  against 
BARBARA  on  account  of  it ! 


54 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Is  that  what  you Ve  come  to  see  MR.  HUNTER  for  ? 

BARBARA. 

[More  excited.]     Not  exactly ! 
[She  and  SUE  laugh  nervously. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
[Embarrassed.]     Excuse  me  for  asking 

BARBARA. 

[Leaning  over  SUE'S  shoulder.]     Shall  I  tell  her?     [Anx 
ious  to. 

SUE. 

Why  not  ?    You  Ve  told  everybody  you've  seen ! 

BARBARA. 
I've  come  to  see  MR.  HUNTER  about  a  wedding. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Good  gracious !  not  your  pa  again  ? 

BARBARA. 
No,  indeedy ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
[Relieved.]     I  was  going  to  say  he's  had  two  and 

BARBARA. 
[Interrupting.]     No,  it's  my  wedding  to  a  Yankee  officer ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Rising.]      For  land's  sake!  will  wonders  never  cease! 
When? 

BARBARA. 
This  morning.     Hasn't  he  been  here,  or  sent  a  note  ? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Not  that  I  know  of.     Bless  me,  I  must  red  up  a  bit !    [Go- 

55 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

ing  about  the  room  and  straightening  the  furniture  and  dust 
ing  the  what-nots.]  Dreadfully  sorry  I  made  currant  jelly 
this  morning  and  set  it  cooling  here  on  the  centre  table. 
Don't  dare  move  it,  for  fear  it's  begun  to  jell!  Too  bad! 
Does  your  pa  know  ? 

BARBARA. 
[Following  her.    SUE  goes  to  the  window.]     No! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

You're  running  away?     [BARBARA  nods  her  head  a  little 
timidly. 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  sort  of something  of  that  sort ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

He's  against  it?     [BARBARA  nods  her  head  again  more 
emphatically. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Blowing  dust  off  the  mantel  shelf.]     You  oughtn't  to  go 
against  your  pa,  dear. 

BARBARA. 

I  can't  help  it.    You'll  be  a  witness  all  the  same,  won't 
you,  MRS.  HUNTER?    [Putting  her  arm  coaxingly  about  her. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Well,  my  dear,  it's  all  very  well  my  consenting  to  be  a  wit 
ness,  but  I  doubt  very  much  if  the  Minister'll  marry  you ! 

BARBARA. 

[With  her  arm  still  around  MRS.  HUNTER  and  hugging 
her  coaxingly.]     Oh,  MRS.  HUNTER,  why  not? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
What  ever  will  your  pa  say  ? 

56 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Taking  her  arm  away.]  Nothing  proper  for  me  to  re 
peat,  I  am  sure !  But  he's  not  a  judge  of  whom  I  must  love, 
MRS.  HUNTER.  [Coming  to  behind  the  centre  table  again. 

MRS.  HUNTER 

Yes,  but  I'm  afraid  the  Minister'll  think  it  wrong.  He's 
got  a  strong  sense  of  duty.  [Coming  also  to  the  table. 

BARBARA. 

[Sits  behind  the  table,  leaning  on  her  arms,  and  almost 
crying.]  Oh,  no,  MRS.  HUNTER,  you  don't  think  he'd  refuse 
me  a  little  thing  like  that?  After  I've  come  all  this  way  just 

to  see  him ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Well,  my  dear,  if  the  Minister's  wife  could  marry  you, 
there  wouldn't  be  any  difficulty.  But  you  see  that  wouldn't 

be  legal. 

BARBARA. 

What  a  pity ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Anyway,  I'll  just  change  my  cap,  so  as  to  be  ready  in  case 
he  is  willing.  [Sits  absent-mindedly.]  My!  you've  that 
flustered  me!  [Rising  again.]  I  hope  he's  a  good  man, 
Miss  BARBARA.  [Going  toward  the  hall  door  on  the  left 
side  of  the  room. 

BARBARA. 
Wait  and  see.    You'll  want  to  marry  him  yourself ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Smiling.]     Heaven  forbid !     I'm  not  like  your  pa ! 
[She  goes  out.     BARBARA  runs  to  the  window,  where 

SUE  is. 

BARBARA. 

[Looking  out  with  SUE,  both  their  backs  toward  the 
room.]  Is  he  coming? 

57 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

No,  but  something  seems  to  be  going  on.  Don't  you  see 
all  the  people  ? 

BARBARA. 
No !     So  long  as  I  don't  see  him,  I  don't  see  anybody  I 

SUE. 

[Motioning.']  Look!  there  are  lots  of  soldiers  hurrying 
about.  Perhaps  one  is  he. 

BARBARA. 
He  isn't  a  soldier;  he's  a  captain! 

SUE. 

[Turning  to  BARBARA.]  Oh,  what  a  fine  tail  our  cat's 
got !  But  perhaps  he'll  be  too  busy  and  can't  come. 

BARBARA. 

He'll  come !     It's  early  yet. 
[Going  to  look  at  the  clock  on  the  mantel. 

SUE. 

Yes,  and  a  nice  modest  bride  you  are ;  coming  half  an  hour 
too  soon!  [Leaning  out  of  the  window,  she  calls.}  Boy! 
boy !  Come  in  the  garden  a  minute ! 

BARBARA. 
Are  you  going  to  send  him  for  CAPT.  TRUMBULL? 

SUE. 

Hardly !  Boy !  [In  a  lower  voice,  showing  the  boy  is  in 
the  garden  and  within  hearing.]  What's  the  matter? 

BOY. 

[Outside,  excitedly.]  The  Rebs  are  coming  to  take  back 
the  town  from  the  Yankees !  They're  only  a  mile  now  down 
the  pike.  You  can  see  them  from  the  roof  of  your  house ! 

58 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Hurrying  to  the  other  window.]     Where'll  they  fight? 

BOY. 
Everybody  says  here  first  probably ! 

SUE. 
[Coming  from  the  windoiv.]     Here!    Oh,  BARBARA!  let's 

get  away ! 

BARBARA. 

[Coming  to  her.]     Without  being  married ?    No,  indeed! 

BOY'S  VOICE. 
[In  the  distance.]     Hi !    You'd  better  shut  your  shutters ! 

SUE. 
[Follows  BARBARA.]     But  I'm  not  going  to  be  married ! 

BARBARA. 
Well,  I  am,  even  if  drums  must  play  my  wedding  march ! 

SUE. 
Supposing  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  can't  come  here? 

BARBARA. 
He'll  come! 

SUE. 

He  may  be  needed  to  defend  the  town.  He'll  have  to 
fight.  [Goes  to  the  window  again. 

BARBARA. 

He'll  have  to  get  married  first,  and  then,  if  he  has  to  fight, 
he'll  have  a  wife's  kisses  on  his  lips  and  a  wife's  love  in  his 
heart'to  charm  away  the  bullets  and  a  wife's  prayers  going 

up  to  Heaven  for  him. 

SUE. 

[At  the  window.]     Here  he  comes ! 
[Comes  back  to  BARBARA. 

59 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

I  knew  it!  [They  become  very  nervous  and  excited.] 
Oh,  SUE,  I  hope  he  won't  think  me  too — too — too  something 
for  being  here  so  much  before  him ! 

SUE. 

[Amused,  teasing  her.]  Of  course,  BAB,  it  is  more  cus 
tomary  for  the  bridegroom  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  bride ! 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  SUE,  do  you  think  he'll  think 

[Looking  about  her.]  I  wish  there  were  another  door; 
I'd  go  out  and  come  back  again,  as  if  I'd  just  arrived.  Wait ! 
I've  an  idea.  Hurry,  take  my  arm.  We'll  pretend  he's  late 
and  that  I  was  tired  of  waiting  and  we're  about  to  go !  Pre 
tend  we  thought  the  hour  fixed  was  half-past  eleven.  Don't 
forget,  SUE,  half -past  eleven! 

TRUMBULL. 
[In  the  hall  outside.]     In  the  parlor,  thank  you. 

BARBARA. 

I  shall  be  very  haughty  with  him!  [Very  loud  to  SUE, 
pointedly.}  Come,  dear.  We  won't  wait  any  longer;  it's 
unpardonable.  [CAPT.  TRUMBULL  enters. 

TRUMBULL. 
BARBARA  !  [Holding  out  both  his  hands. 

BARBARA. 

[Rushing  to  him  and  giving  him  both  hers,  cries  out  joy 
fully.}  Will!  I  thought  you'd  never  come.  The  time  was 

noon,  you  know ! 

TRUMBULL. 

I've  been  getting  a  license,  hunting  up  the  Minister  and 
begging  him  to  take  the  time  to  marry  us. 

60 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

I  knew  you'd  manage  it.  You  see  SUE  [turning  to  SUE, 
whom  TRUMBULL  then  sees. 

TRUMBULL. 
Our  bridesmaid?     [Shaking  hands  with  SUE. 

SUE. 
[With  a  quick  little  curtsey.]     Yes,  indeedy! 

BARBARA. 
And  you  persuaded  MR.  HUNTER  to  marry  us  ? 

TRUMBULL. 

I  think  so.  You  see  he  knows  my  people  in  Connecticut. 
At  any  rate,  he  said  he'd  follow  me  in  a  few  minutes.  We 
haven't  many.  You  won't  mind  being  married  in  a  hurry? 

[  Taking  her  hand. 

BARBARA. 

It's  true,  the  Southerners  are  coming  ? 

TRUMBULL. 

[Leaving  go,  tenderly,  of  BARBARA'S  hand.}  Yes,  we  are 
filling  the  houses  along  the  street  with  sharpshooters.  Men 
of  the  Seventy-fourth  Connecticut,  my  regiment,  are  to  take 
their  stand  in  this  house. 

SUE. 
Here! 

BARBARA. 
This  house ! 

TRUMBULL. 

DR.  HUNTER  is  out  warning  women  and  children  to  keep 
out  of  danger.  I  would  have  sent  you  word  not  to  come  to 
day  had  I  known  in  time. 

SUE. 

[On  a  half  cry.}  Oh,  I  wish  you  had!  I  wish  we  were 
home! 

61 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

/  should  have  come  all  the  same.  My  place  is  here,  as 
near  you  as  I  can  be,  with  your  life  in  danger. 

TRUMBULL. 

But  all  you  women  in  the  house  must  go  into  the  cellar ; 
^that's  the  only  place  that  will  be  safe  from  bullets. 

[During  this  speech  SUE  steals  softly  from  the  room,  to 
leave  the  other  two  alone. 

BARBARA. 

And  you?    Oh,  my  love,  my  love ! 

[Resting  quietly  in  his  arms,  her  head  on  his  shoulder  and 
looking  up  into  his  face. 

You'll  be  in  the  fighting 

TRUMBULL. 

The  Seventy-fourth  shall  behave  worthy  of  their  CAP 
TAIN'S  wife,  if  I  can  make  them. 

BARBARA. 
But  you!    Oh,  just  as  you  are  mine!    If  you  should  be — 

should  be 

[She  cannot  say  the  dreadful  thing,  and  comes  out  of  his 
arms,  but  keeps  close  to  him,  burying  her  face  on  his  shoul 
der. 

TRUMBULL. 

Be  brave,  dear.  If  it  should  be,  I'll  fall  loving  you  and 
trying  to  serve  my  country ! 

BARBARA. 
Your  country  against  mine ! 

TRUMBULL. 

No.  Our  country !  North  and  South  were  one  in  1776. 
They'll  be  one  again  in  1876. 

62 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

Yes,  in  1776  they  were  betrothed.  This  war's  a  lovers' 
quarrel ;  after  it  they'll  wed  for  good,  like  you  and  I  to-day. 

TRUMBULL. 
And  then  nothing  can  separate  them. 

BARBARA. 
Not  even  death ! 

[Resting  again  in  his  arms,  he  kisses  her  silently.  After 
a  moment's  pause,  she  moves  to  a  chair,  and,  still  holding  his 
hand,  makes  him  draw  a  chair  nearer  and  sit  beside  her. 

WILL,  yesterday  I  told  you  I  was  still  a  Rebel,  after  all 
your  reasoning. 

TRUMBULL. 
But  still  my  Rebel ! 

BARBARA. 
All  night  I  lay  awake  and  tried  to  take  your  point  of  view, 

and  by  the  morning 

TRUMBULL. 

By  the  morning 

BARBARA. 

By  the  morning  it  was  easier.  Perhaps — perhaps  we're 
wrong.  But  still  Fm  torn  between  the  two — you  whom  I  love 
best  on  one  side ;  everything  else  I  love  stands  on  the  other — 
and  this  war,  this  cruel  war  blackens  our  skies  with  its  pow 
der  clouds,  stains  our  grass  with  our  own  heart's  blood,  de 
stroys  our  homes  and  ruins  the  land  we  cherish !  What  can 
we  women  do  ?  My  brother  escaped  to-day  and  will  be  with 
our — with  his  troops — when  they  march  into  Hagerstown 
this  morning.  His  gun  points  toward  your  heart,  yours  to 
ward  his! 

TRUMBULL. 
God  save  his  life ! 

63 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
And  yours !     See ! 

[Rising.  TRUMBULL  rises.  She  takes  an  old  patched 
American  nag  from  a  little  beaded  bag  at  her  side. 

This  is  the  flag  I  told  you  of  last  night ;  my  grandfather's ! 

TRUMBULL. 
Yes,  I  remember ;  but  you  told  me  it  was  torn. 

BARBARA. 

It  was.  I  mended  it  at  sunrise.  Then  I  folded  it  as  you 
see,  close  and  small  as  I  could,  and  I  give  it  to  you,  my  Yan 
kee  soldier,  for  a  wedding  gift.  But  you  must  let  me  place 
it  here.  [Slipping  it  inside  his  coat,  on  the  left  side.]  Over 
your  heart,  your  wife's  flag,  and  may  it  be  some  sort  of  shield 
to  save  your  life  for  her. 

[MRS.  HUNTER  and  SUE  come  in  again.  MRS.  HUNTER 
has  changed  her  cap  and  added  a  white  lace  "bertha"  She 
brings  a  bouquet  of  flowers,  which  she  has  gathered  in  her 
garden  for  BARBARA. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

I  don't  know  where  DR.  HUNTER  can  be,  bui:  I'm  quite 
ready.  Good  morning,  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

[Giving  flowers  to  BARBARA  and  kissing  her.]  My  love 
and  good  wishes. 

BARBARA. 

Thank  you,  MRS.  HUNTER. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Take  off  your  bonnet,  dearie.  It's  bad  luck  to  wed  in  the 
house  in  a  bonnet.  [Taking  BARBARA'S  bonnet,  she  drops  it. 

BARBARA. 

Oh !  be  careful  of  it,  MRS.  HUNTER  !  I  hadn't  a  new  one 
of  my  own,  so  I  borrowed  this  one  of  SUE.  You  know, 

64 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

"Something  old  and  something  new,  something  borrowed 
and  something  blue." 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

This  is  a  sad  way  for  a  young  girl  to  be  married. 

[Putting  BARBARA'S  bonnet  on  the  sofa. 

TRUMBULL. 

BARBARA  is  a  soldier's  bride,  MRS.  HUNTER,  and  she's  go 
ing  to  be  brave.  [SUE  goes  to  BARBARA,  sobbing. 

SUE. 
Oh,  BAB  !  BAB  !  [She  cries  on  her  neck. 

BARBARA. 

SUE!  SUE!  You'll  be  a  nice  damp  bridesmaid!  [Put 
ting  her  away  affectionately. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Taking  SUE  to  the  window,  where  they  discreetly  pretend 
to  be  interested  in  the  garden,  with  their  backs  turned.] 

Come,  sit  down !  ^ 

TRUMBULL. 

[Taking  BARBARA'S  hand  and  drawing  her  to  one  side.] 
I  had  no  time  to  get  another,  so  I'm  going  to  use  my  mother's 
wedding  ring.  She  put  it  on  my  finger  when  I  was  twenty- 
one.  [Showing  her  a  narrow,  well-worn  ring. 

BARBARA. 

[Tenderly,  looking  at  the  ring.]  No  ring  in  the  world 
would  have  pleased  me  half  so  much. 

[A   loud,   harsh  church  bell  suddenly   begins   to   clang 

noisily. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Startled,  rises.]     What's  that  for? 

TRUMBULL. 

To  warn  the  townspeople  that  there's  likely  to  be  fighting. 
[SuE  rises,  frightened. 

65 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

Oh,  BAB  !  [SuE  and  MRS.  HUNTER  come  a  few  steps  for 
ward. 

TRUMBULL. 

There's  no  danger  yet,  Miss  ROYCE. 

[MRS.  HUNTER  goes  to  a  window  and  looks  out.  SUE  fol 
lows.  As  TRUMBULL  has  given  his  answer  to  MRS.  HUNTER, 
BARBARA  has  clung  more  tightly  to  him,  and,  turning  her 
face  up  to  his,  gives  him  a  long  look,  full  of  love,  but  yet 
fearful  for  the  ordeal  ahead. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Coming  away  from  the  window.}  Here  comes  some 
body  ;  it's  probably  the  Minister ! 

BARBARA. 

The  Minister ! 

TRUMBULL. 

The  Minister ! 

SUE. 

The  Minister! 

[Lively  excitement  on  the  part  of  BARBARA.  She  runs, 
tripping  prettily  about  the  room,  to  make  all  kinds  of  un 
necessary  preparations. 

BARBARA. 

Get  ready  everybody!  The  Bible!  We  must  have  the 
Bible! 

[Taking  a  large  book  from  the  table  between  the  windows. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

No!  no!  that's  the  photograph  album!  [Taking  it  away 
from  her.}  However,  you  won't  need  a  Bible. 

BARBARA. 

[Laughing  hysterically.}  Won't  need  it?  Dear  me! 
MRS.  HUNTER  says  we  won't  need 

66 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIB. 

[She  interrupts  herself  to  arrange  the  little  party.  She 
changes  SUE'S  position  several  times  to  where  she  will  look 
"really  best''  and  gets  very  confused  as  to  which  side  of 
CAPT.  TRUMBULL  she  shall  stand,  but  finally  gives  a  sigh  of 
relief,  as,  after  a  final  dash  for  her  almost  forgotten  bouquet, 
with  Hushed  cheeks,  happy  eyes  and  beating  heart,  she  hangs 
on  to  the  CAPTAIN'S  left  arm  and  watches  expectantly  the 
hall  door  open.  They  stand  on  the  right,  SUE  beside  BAR 
BARA  and  MRS.  HUNTER  behind  the  centre  table.  An  OR 
DERLY  bursts  into  the  room. 

ORDERLY. 
CAPT.  TRUMBULL?  [Salutes. 

TRUMBULL. 
What  is  it,  PERKINS  ? 

ORDERLY. 

Sent  by  Gen.  Reno  to  tell  you  to  join  your  company  with 
all  speed,  sir !  The  enemy  are  only  a  few  yards  off,  and  our 
troops  are  to  leave  this  end  of  the  town  open  to  them ! 

[BARBARA'S  bouquet  slips  unheeded  from  her  hand. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Leave  this  end  ?    What's  that  for  ? 

TRUMBULL. 

A  trap  probably.  We  outnumber  the  Rebels.  Coming, 
PERKINS? 

ORDERLY. 

Yes,  CAPTAIN.     Fve  a  horse  here  for  you. 
[Salutes  and  goes  out. 

BARBARA. 

[Going  to  her  CAPTAIN.]  You  must  go?  Without — you 
can't  wait  for  MR.  HUNTER  ? 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 

He  must  wait  for  us  to-morrow.     Good-bye. 

[They  stand  facing  each  other,  his  arms  around  her,  her 
hands  on  his  shoulders,  and  look  long,  lovingly  and  fearfully 
into  each  other's  eyes. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Going  to  SUE,  whispers.]     Come. 

[Leads  her  by  the  hand  to  the  window,  where  they  stand, 
half  hidden  by  the  curtains,  their  backs  turned  toward  the 
room.  The  bell  stops  ringing.  After  BARBARA  and  TRUM 
BULL  have  gazed  a  few  moments  into  each  other's  eyes,  he 
takes  the  ring  he  had  shown  her  off  his  iinger  and  places  it 
on  BARBARA'S  wedding  iinger,  and  then  kisses  it  on  her  hand. 
She  flings  her  arms  about  his  neck  and  kisses  him. 

TRUMBULL. 
[Firmly.}     I  must  go  now. 

BARBARA. 

[Clinging  to  him.}     Yes,  yes;  I  know,  I  know. 
[Following  him  toward  the  door  and  holding  on  to  him. 

TRUMBULL. 
Good-bye,  little  woman.     [Putting  off  her  hands  tenderly. 

BARBARA. 

[In  an  agonized  whisper.}  Good-bye.  Your  wife  all  the 
same,  WILL  ;  your  wife,  your  wife. 

[Again  putting  her  hands  upon  his  arm. 

TRUMBULL. 
Yes,  my  wife !     Take  care  of  yourself. 

BARBARA. 
And  you  ? 

68 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 

I'm  going  to  make  you  proud  of  the  Seventy-fourth ! 
[Smiling  bravely  and  again  putting  her  hands  tenderly 
from  off  him. 

BARBARA. 
I  know  it.     I  know  it. 

TRUMBULL. 

Good-bye.     [Again  clinging  to  his  arm,  she  starts  to  go 
with  him  out  through  the  door. 

No,  stay  here.     Don't  come  any  further.     Every  minute 
makes  it  harder. 

[She  stands  still.    He  goes  over  the  threshold.    He  turns 
and  looks  at  her. 

Good-bye,  girl!  [He  passes  out. 

BARBARA. 

[Standing  in  front  of  the  open  door.]     Good-bye,  boy! 
[The  outside  door  is  heard  to  slam.     BARBARA  hurries  to 
the  empty  window  and  leans  out.    She  throws  some  kisses 
and  stands  watching.    MRS.  HUNTER  and  SUE  turn  from 
their  window. 

SUE. 
Poor  BAB  ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Yes,  indeedy !     I  suppose  the  Minister  has  just  had  to  stay 
with  the  troops. 

[BARBARA  turns  and  speaks  quickly,  coming  from  the  win 
dow. 

BARBARA. 

Now,  what  can  we  do?     Surely  we  can  do  something? 
We  can  help  somehow. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
I  don't  see  what  just  now.     If  any  one  gets  wounded  near 

here  we  can 

69 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Interrupting  and  sobbing  on  MRS.  HUNTER'S  bosom.] 
Oh,  MRS.  HUNTER,,  you're  sure,  you're  sure  there'll  be  fight 
ing? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

I've  seen  one  skirmish  already,  dear,  right  here  in  our 
front  yard.  [Comforting  her  in  her  arms. 

SUE. 

[At  the  window.]  Oh!  our  men  are  coming  now,  sure; 
you  can  see  the  dust.  Shall  we  aose  the  shutters  ? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Yes,  quickly. 

[Moving  to  the  other  window,  she  closes  its  shutters. 
SUE  at  the  same  time  closes  the  shutters  of  her  window. 
The  sunlight  goes  from  the  room  when  this  is  done,  leaving 
a  dull,  dark  daylight.  BARBARA  stands  motionless  in  the 
centre  of  the  roomf  lost  for  the  moment  in  her  unhappy 
thoughts. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Going  to  SUE.]  Would  you  mind  helping  me  put  away 
some  of  my  best  things  ?  If  they  should  fight  outside,  every 
thing's  likely  to  be  ruined. 

[Taking  the  pair  of  vases  with  dried  grasses  off  the  man 
tel  and  also  the  clock. 

SUE. 

[In  a  half  whisper.]     Look  at  BARBARA  ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Let  her  alone,  poor  girl !  and  take  off  those  tatting  tidies. 
"Will  you,  Miss  ROYCE,  please?  My  Aunt  Sarah  made  'em, 
and  I  treasure  'em  highly. 

[SuE  takes  the  tidies  off  the  sofa  and  chairs  and  gets  the 


70 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

family  Bible  and  photograph  album.     MRS.  HUNTER  moves 
the  jelly  jars  to  the  mantel. 

These  soldiers  just  don't  care  what  they  do.  They'll  use 
everything  they  can  lay  their  hands  on  for  the  wounded 
without  a  moment's  forethought. 

[There  is  a  loud  rapping  on  the  wooden  shutter  of  one  of 
the  windows.  The  WOMEN  are  frightened.  BARBARA 
starts  out  of  her  reverie  and  goes  to  the  window,  but  does 
not  open  it. 

BARBARA. 

What  is  it? 

BOY. 

The  Rebs  are  coming!  the  Rebs  are  coming!  They're 
right  here ;  there'll  be  fighting !  Look  out ! 

SUE. 

[In  hysterical  fright.}  Oh,  BARBARA  !  oh,  MRS.  HUNTER  ! 
Oh,  I  wish  I  were  home !  I'll  never  go  with  you  to  get  mar 
ried  again,  BARBARA  FRIETCHIE  !  Oh,  we'll  be  killed !  we'll 
all  be  killed ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[Crossing  with  SUE  to  the  hall  door.]  No!  no!  Come, 
put  those  things  downstairs!  I'll  lock  the  front  door,  and 
then  we'd  all  better  go  into  the  cellar. 

BARBARA. 
I  shall  stay  here ! 

SUE. 
No,  no,  BAB  ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

You  come  now,  Miss  ROYCE.  I'll  be  back  for  Miss  BAR 
BARA.  I  want  to  bolt  the  front  door. 

[SuE  and  MRS.  HUNTER  go  out  of  the  room. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Goes  to  the  window,  and,  moving  the  shutter  a  little, 
looks  out.  She  shows  that  she  sees  the  Southern  soldiers, 
and,  closing  the  shutter  quickly,  calls  back  into  the  room.] 
They're  some  of  them  here  already  in  the  street ! 

[She  looks  out  cautiously  again.  A  loud  knocking  on  the 
street  door.  BARBARA  quickly  closes  the  shutter  and  steps 
away  from  the  window  into  the  room.  The  knocking  is  re 
peated.  MRS.  HUNTER  appears  in  the  hall  doorway,  fright 
ened. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Some  of  'em  are  at  our  door ! 

[  The  knocking  changes  to  pounding  of  the  door  with  the 
butt  end  of  a  musket. 

ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE. 

[Voice  loud  outside.]      This  is  the  confounded  Union 
Preacher's  house.     Beat  in  the  door  if  they  won't  answer ! 
[Louder  pounding  on  the  door. 

BARBARA. 
Hadn't  we  better  open  ?     Shall  I  go  ? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
No,  I'll  go.         [She  goes  out  and  is  heard  drawing  a  bolt. 

ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE. 

[Strides  into  the  room,  his  arm  in  a  sling,  followed  by 
FOUR  CONFEDERATE  SOLDIERS — GELWEX,  GREENE  and  Two 
OTHERS — speaking  before  and  as  he  enters.  The  FOUR 
MEN  stand  in  twos  by  the  windows.]  We  want  your  house, 
madam,  for  our  sharpshooters.  We  won't  harm  you  or  any 
of  your  possessions. 

[He  sees  BARBARA.]     BARBARA!     No!     BARBARA? 


72 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Equally  surprised.}     You,  Arthur!     Thank  God! 

[Taking  his  hand.  MRS.  HUNTER  enters.]  MRS.  HUN 
TER,  this  is  my  brother.  He'll  protect  us !  ARTHUR,  this  is 
my  friend,  MRS.  HUNTER. 

ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE. 

She's  a  Unioner.  Her  husband  is  known  all  over  Mary 
land  for  his  bitterness.  What  are  you  doing  with  them  ? 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  never  mind;  they  are  my  friends.  You'll  protect 
them! 

ARTHUR. 
I  can  do  nothing. 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  you  can.     You  won't  let  your  men  stay  in  the  house. 

ARTHUR. 
I  must ;  superior  orders ! 

BARBARA. 
But  what  are  they  going  to  do  here? 

ARTHUR. 

They're  sharpshooters.  They'll  each  take  a  window  that 
fronts  on  the  street. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
Heaven  help  us ! 

[To  BARBARA.]  I'll  go  tell  your  friend;  she'll  be  getting 
frightened. 

[She  goes  out.  BARBARA,  dazed,  sinks  into  a  chair  by  the 
centre  table. 

ARTHUR. 
The  Yankees  are  up  to  some  trick.     They've  left  this  part 


73 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

of  the  town  open.  They  imagine,  perhaps,  we'll  think  they're 
retreating,  and  march  along  into  the  hell  they  have  ready  for 
us  at  the  other  end.  But  we're  not  such  fools.  We're  going 
to  wait  here  for  them  to  come  back  after  us ! 

BARBARA. 

Do  you  mean  to  say  you're  going  to  station  your  men  in 
these  windows  to  hide  here  safe  and  shoot  out  at  the  unpro 
tected  Unioners  as  they  come  along  ? 

ARTHUR. 

Yes,  we'll  pick  off  their  best  as  they  come  past  first,  till 
we've  discouraged  them  a  little. 

BARBARA. 
[Rising.]     No!  no!     That's  barbarous!  that's  murder! 

ARTHUR. 

It's  war,  sister ! 

[To  his  MEN.]     Clear  the  windows ! 

[The  MEN  tear  down  the  curtains  and  move  into  each  win 
dow  a  big  piece  of  furniture,  which  serves  as  an  extra  pro 
tection  to  hide  behind.  GELWEX,  with  one  man  at  one  win 
dow,  GREENE  and  another  man  at  the  other. 

BARBARA. 

But  you,  you'll  be  here? 

[Following  ARTHUR  around  the  table  as  he  moves,  her 
hands  on  his  arm. 

ARTHUR. 
No,  I  must  go  on  at  once.     This  isn't  the  only  house. 

BARBARA. 
And  we  women,  what  are  we  to  do  ? 


74 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

ARTHUR. 

Get  out  of  reach  of  the  bullets,  for  God's  sake,  and  the 
sooner  the  better ! 

BARBARA. 
SUE'S  down  in  the  cellar  now. 

ARTHUR. 
SUE!    My  SUE? 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  SUE  ROYCE. 

ARTHUR. 

If  she  should  be  hurt!  What  in  heaven's  name  are  you 
Two  GIRLS  doing  here?  Tell  me!  [Very  firmly. 

BARBARA. 

Ah !  if  you  are  frightened  for  her,  because  you  love  her, 
even  though  she  isn't  fighting,  then  you'll  feel  for  me!  AR 
THUR,  be  generous.  I  came  here  this  morning  to  marry 
CAPT.  TRUMBULL! 

ARTHUR. 

What!  the  Northern  officer? 

[GELWEX  starts  and  exchanges  a  signal  with  GREENE. 
They  listen  intently. 

BARBARA. 

[Standing  in  front  of  ARTHUR  to  plead  with  him.]  Wait ! 
Don't  speak  yet;  you  don't  know  him,  you've  never  even 
seen  him.  How  can  you  judge?  He  saved  you  from  the 
SEARCH  GANG  last  night,  though  you  don't  know  it.  He's  a 
good,  brave  man,  and  he's  here  in  the  army  you've  come  to 
fight!  Oh,  ARTHUR,  he's  as  dear  to  me  as  you  can  be  to 
SUE  and  she  to  you !  Pity  me !  help  me ! 

ARTHUR. 
[Sympathetically.]     I  can  do  nothing,  BAB,  poor  old  girl. 

75 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIR. 

BARBARA. 
At  any  rate,  you're  not  angry  with  me  for  loving  him  ? 

ARTHUR. 

[With  his  arm  about  her  shoulders.}  No,  I'm  sorry  for 
you. 

BARBARA. 
Shall  I  call  SUE? 

ARTHUR. 

Yes.  No!  no!  you'd  better  not.  I  mustn't  see  her,  I 
don't  dare.  Give  her  this  for  me.  [Kisses  her. 

[He  turns  to  his  MEN.]     GELWEX,  you  and What's 

your  friend's  name? 

GREENE. 
[Saluting.]     TIM  GREENE,  sir. 

ARTHUR. 

All  right.  You  two  stay  here.  This  is  a  good  chance  for 
you  new  men  to  show  what  you  are  worth  to  us.  The  other 
two  follow  me  upstairs. 

GELWEX. 
There  ain't  no  upstairs,  sir ;  only  an  attic. 

BARBARA. 
This  is  only  a  Minister's  little  cottage,  you  know. 

ARTHUR. 

Very  well,  then ;  you  men  here  are  enough. 

[He  takes  a  step  or  two  nearer  the  Two  MEN,  one  at  each 
window.]  You  know  your  work.  Look  where  you  fire! 
Pick  out  your  man !  Don't  aim  at  nothing ! 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  it's  dreadful !  it's  dreadful ! 

76 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

ARTHUR. 
[Coming  back  to  her.}     Good-bye,  dear! 

BARBARA. 
[In  agony.]     If  you  two  meet — my  lover  and  my  brother ! 

ARTHUR. 

That  won't  be — that  can't  be !  We  won't  even  think  of  it. 
[She  presses  his  hand  warmly.  He  returns  the  pressure. 

And  before  another  battle  you  must  make  a  Rebel  of  him ! 
[BARBARA  smiles,  ARTHUR  goes. 

BARBARA. 
[Speaks  after  him.}     Come  back  safely. 

ARTHUR. 

I'll  try.     Take  care  of  SUE. 

[He  shuts  the  door  behind  him.  BARBARA  stands  for  a 
moment  looking  about  her  with  the  manner  of  one  seeking 
some  means,  she  knows  not  what,  to  avert  an  impending 
catastrophe.  The  Two  MEN  have  taken  their  positions  in 
the  left  corners  of  each  window,  the  shutters  open  on  a  crack, 
the  men  watching  off  right,  the  direction  from  which  the 
Union  men  are  to  come.  BARBARA  looks  at  them. 

GELWEX. 
You're  loaded  all  right,  TIM? 

GREENE. 
[Looking.}     All  right. 

BARBARA. 
And  you  Two  MEN  are  going  to  carry  out  your  orders  ? 

GELWEX. 
Right,  young  lady,  if  we  get  the  chance. 


77 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

If  I  were  a  soldier  I'd  fight  out  fair  in  the  ranks.  I 
wouldn't  hide  safe  to  kill  another  man  from  behind  a  cover. 
[  The  Two  SOLDIERS  laugh  out  loud. 

GELWEX. 

If  you  were  a  soldier  you'd  do  what  you're  told,  miss. 
[He  watches  again,  closing  the  shutters. 
Not  that  this  ain't  our  favorite  line  in  the  business.     Eh, 
TIM? 

GREENE. 
[Watching  closely  between  his  shutters.}  Ya-as! 

BARBARA. 

[Noticing  their  manner  and  accent.}  But  where  do  you 
come  from  ?  You  men  are  not  Southern. 

GELWEX. 
No,  we  ain't  Southern,  b'gosh!  Be  we,  TIM? 

BARBARA. 
You're  Northerners? 

GELWEX. 
The  State  of  Connecticut  had  the  honor  of  our  birth. 

BARBARA. 
[In  surprise.}  And  you  sympathize  with  the  South? 

GELWEX. 

[Laughing  sarcastically.}  Yes,  we  sympathize  with  the 
South  because  she  pays  us  for  it. 

BARBARA. 
Pays! 

GELWEX. 
The  South's  going  to  win,  miss,  and  we're  on  the  side  of 

78 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

the  winning  party.  We  come  down  here  with  the  Seventy- 
fourth  from  Hartford. 

[At  this  BARBARA  starts  and  looks  at  them  in  greater  sur 
prise  and  with  emotion. 

And  we  got  licked  twice,  so  we  quit. 

BARBARA. 
[In  disgust.}     You're  deserters! 

GELWEX. 

Awh !  call  us  what  you  like.  Each  man  must  look  out  for 
hisself.  The  Rebs  pay  well,  and  if  it  warn't  for  us  they 
wouldn't  be  knowing  the  Yankees'  plan  to-day. 

BARBARA. 

You  betrayed  your  own [She  stops,  more  c.i  her 

guard. 

GELWEX. 

Well,  you  ain't  very  grateful,  miss !  We  done  it  'for  your 
side.  But  why  we  done  it  is  'cause  the  South's  going  to  win, 
and  the  winning  side's  our  side !  Eh,  TIM  ? 

GREENE. 

[Who  a  moment  before  has  looked  out  more  intensely  and 
listened.}  Psst! 

GELWEX. 

[At  once  on  the  alert.}     Coming? 
[BARBARA  stands  still,  motionless,  alarmed. 
It's  only  some  people  in  the  street.     By  thunder !  if  our  old 
regiment  comes  along ;  eh,  TIM  ? 

BARBARA. 
[To  herself  in  a  whisper.}     WILL'S! 

GREENE. 
We'd  pay 'em  back! 

79 


BARBARA  FRIETCH1E. 

GELWEX. 

You  bet !  I  ain't  forgot  the  day  they  done  me  up  in  camp 
with  mud  and  stones. 

GREENE. 
[Strong.]     Right  you  are ! 

GELWEX. 
But  listen.     I  choose  CAPT.  TRUMBULL,  mind  you ! 

GREENE. 
All  right. 

GELWEX. 

Let  him  go  by  for  me,  he's  my  target!  I've  got  the  big 
gest  score  against  him,  and,  by  God!  I'll  fix  him  for  them 
nights  in  the  guard  house ! 

BARBARA. 
[Quickly.}     Why  were  you  in  the  guard  house? 

GELWEX. 

Getting  sober.     I've  a  weakness,  lady,  for  good  old  rye! 
[Laughing. 

BARBARA. 

[As  the  idea  strikes  her.}  Well,  rye  is  not  a  bad  drink. 
Wouldn't  you  like  some  now  ? 

GREENE. 
No! 

GELWEX.    . 
Shut  up !     Yes,  lady ;  thank  you  kindly. 

BARBARA. 
[Going  to  the  door,  calls.}    MRS.  HUNTER,  MRS.  HUNTER  ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

[In  the  hall.}  Yes,  what  is  it?  Do  you  need  me?  [She 
enters. 

80 


BARBARA  FRIETCPIIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Going  to  her.]     MRS.  HUNTER,  does  the  Minister  drink? 

GELWEX. 

[Laughs  coarsely.]     Ha!  ha!     Does  a  fish  swim? 
[MRS.  HUNTER  looks  angrily  at  the  soldiers. 

BARBARA. 
I  want  some  whisky  for  this  good  fellow  here. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
[Angry.}     No,  indeedy !  there's  not  a  drop  in  the  house. 

GREENE. 

Sh!    Listen,  FRED! 

[He  and  GELWEX  press  closer  to  the  windoivs.  BARBARA 
and  MRS.  HUNTER  stand  still  a  moment  listening.  Then 
BARBARA  whispers  so  the  Two  MEN  won't  hear  her. 

BARBARA. 

I'm  sure  you  have  some ;  get  it.  These  are  two  Union  de 
serters!  And  the  worse  of  the  two  is  a  drunkard.  He's  set 
on  the  life  of  my  lover !  Oh,  for  love's  sake,  get  me  liquor, 
so  I  may  drug  him ! 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
I  understand.     We  have  some.     [She  starts  to  go  out  the 

door.  _. 

BARBARA. 

And,  MRS.  HUNTER,  has  the  Minister  a  gun? 

MRS.  HUNTER. 

Yes,  but  what  for ? 

BARBARA. 
Never  mind.     Get  it!  get  it!         [MRS.  HUNTER  goes  out. 

GELWEX. 
Sh!     Damn  you!  keep  still.     Yes,  they're  coming,  sure! 

81 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
Who? 

GELWEX. 

The  Yankees!  [BARBARA  cries  out.]  Don't  be  fright 
ened  ;  they  won't  be  on  us  for  a  few  minutes  yet.  But  you'd 
better  go,  too,  lady. 

[The  SOLDIERS  watch  more  closely.  The  bell  begins  to 
clang  loudly  again. 

BARBARA.    * 

No.  Listen — listen  to  me  a  moment.  Isn't  there  any  way 
in  which  I  can  persuade  you  Two  Meji  not  to  shoot  out  of 
those  windows? 

GELWEX. 
Oh,  go  down  in  the  cellar ! 

BARBARA. 

No !  For  Heaven's  sake  won't  you  show  some  kindness, 
some  pity?  Turn  around  and  look  at  me!  Look  at  me! 
[Running  to  him  and  throwing  herself  upon  his  gun,  which 
is  pointed  between  the  shutters.  She  holds  it  doivn  for  a  mo 
ment.}  Look  into  my  face!  [GELWEX  turns 'his  head  and 
looks  at  her. 

Now  listen!  My  life  and  happiness  are  coming  down 
that  road  where  your  guns  point ! 

GELWEX. 

That's  nothing  to  do  with  me!  [Wrenching  his  gun 
away,  he  turns  again  to  aim  out  of  the  window. 

BARBARA. 

Have  you  no  feeling?  Have  you  never  loved  any  one — 
your  mother  ? 

GELWEX. 
She  left  me  in  the  gutter ! 

82 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
Your  sweetheart !     Surely  you  have  loved  someone  ? 

GREENE. 
Yes,  he  loved  a  girl  once. 

BARBARA. 
[To  GELWEX.]     And  she  loved  you? 

GELWEX. 

No !  She  married  me  and  left  me  for  another  man,  taking 
our  baby  with  her. 

[MRS.  HUNTER  enters  with  the  whisky,  a  bottle  and  a 
glass,  and  with  her  husband's  gun. 

BARBARA. 

No  wonder  you're  hard  if  you've  had  such  troubles !  Well, 
here's  a  good  drink  to  drown  them  in. 

[Goes  to  MRS.  HUNTER,  taking  the  whisky  and  glass  from 
her  and  motioning  her  to  place  the  gun  on  the  centre  table, 
which  MRS.  HUNTER  does. 

GELWEX. 

Good! 

[A  fife  and  drum  corps  is  heard  in  the  distance,  playing 
"We'll  Rally  Round  the  Flag,  Boys,  We'll  Rally  Round  the 
Flag,  Shouting  the  Battle  Cry  of  Freedom!" 

GREENE. 
Here  they  are ! 

[Places  his  gun.  As  BARBARA  starts  to  pour  the  whisky 
out  into  glass,  a  far-off  pistol  shot  and  a  distant  shout. 

GELWEX. 
[In  a  hurry  to  drink.]     Damn  the  glass ! 

83 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[He  seizes  the  bottle  out  of  BARBARA'S  hand  to  drink  more 
quickly.  She  goes  toward  the  table  and  puts  down  the  glass. 

GREENE. 

[As  GELWEX  is  about  to  drink,  cries  out  in  great  excite 
ment.]  FRED!  FRED!  Look!  look!  Can't  you  see? 

GELWEX. 

[LookSj  starts,  throws  down  the  bottle,  which  crashes,  and 
gets  his  gun  ready,  shouting  like  a  beast.]  Yes!  Good! 
The  Seventy-fourth !  the  Seventy-fourth ! 

[BARBARA  starts  violently  and  kneels  beside  the  centre 
table.  Two  more  distant  shots,  and  the  drum  and  fife  sound 
louder.  Shouts  and  cries  are  heard. 

GREENE. 

Yes,  it's  them,  sure!  [Watching  more  intensely. 

[TRUM BULL'S  voice  is  heard  outside,  coming  from  up  the 
road.  He  is  urging  his  men  on. 

TRUMBULL. 
Come  on,  boys !  come  on !     For  country  and  for  love ! 

GELWEX. 

[With  strong,  fierce  emphasis  and  tightening  his  grip  on 
his  musket.]     Don't  interfere  with  me! 
[  BARBARA  takes  up  the  Minister's  gun. 

MRS.  HUNTER. 
[Behind  her.]     Pray,  BARBARA,  pray! 

BARBARA. 

You  pray.     If  he  puts  his  ringer  on  the  trigger,  I'll  shoot ! 

[GELWEX  lifts  his  gun  and  shows  intense  excitement  as  he 
takes  aim.  BARBARA  covers  him  with  her  gun  and  holds  it 
steady.  As  GELWEX  puts  his  finger  on  the  trigger  she  her- 

84 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

self  shoots.    With  a  loud  oath  from  GELWEX,  his  gun  drops 
from  his  hold,  and  seizing  his  right  arm  with  his  other  hand, 
he  turns  from  the  window  toward  BARBARA,  who  still  kneels 
at  the  table,  and  lifts  her  head  defiantly  to  his  look  as 
The  Curtain  Falls. 


BARBARA  FR1ETCH1E. 


THE   THIRD   ACT. 

TWO    DAYS    LATER. 


In  the  Frietchie  house  in  Frederick.  The  living  room  of 
the  house.  This  is  an  old  Colonial  hall,  furnished  in  rose 
wood,  with  faded  red  brocade  upholstery,  and  curtains  of 
the  same  at  the  windows;  outside  green  Venetian  blinds. 
The  walls  are  ivhite,  and  heavy  green-black  marble  columns 
support  a  balcony,  which  runs  across  the  entire  end.  From 
the  centre  of  the  balcony  comes  down  a  broad,  crimson-car 
peted  staircase,  with  white  spindles  and  a  mahogany  rail. 
Behind  the  staircase,  underneath  the  balcony  is  the  front 
door.  Off  one  end  of  the  balcony  a  door  leads  to  other 
rooms  in  the  house,  off  the  opposite  end  a  door  leads  to  BAR 
BARA'S  room.  There  are  big,  comfortable  armchairs  about, 
and  a  table  littered  with  magazines  beside  a  window.  Ferns 
and  daisies  are  growing  in  the  fireplace.  Portraits  by  Cop 
ley  and  Stuart  are  on  the  wall.  There  is  a  general  sugges 
tion  of  disorder;  a  bonnet  and  a  pair  of  woman's  gloves  lie 
carelessly  on  the  mantel,  a  man's  cloak  has  fallen  on  the  floor 
beside  an  armchair.  It  is  late  in  the  afternoon.  BARBARA 
sits  in  the  middle  of  the  staircase,  listening,  sorrowful  and 

tense. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Comes  in  from  the  back  way,  entering  by  the  parlor  door 
at  the  left.]  Miss  BARBARA,  is  yo'  hyah,  honey? 

86 


Photo  by  Byi<on. 


Julia  Marlowe. 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Turning  her  head  to  see  who  it  is.]      Oh,  MAMMY  Lu! 

Is  the  fighting  over? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Yaas,  missy,  or  you  wouldn't  have  cotched  dis  ole  niggah 
woman  out !  We  ain't  heard  no  shots  in  our  house  fo'  dis 

long  time. 

BARBARA. 

[Despairingly.]     And  we've  lost! 

MAMMY  Lu. 
Lor'  save  us,  no,  honey !     Frederick's  a  Rebel  town  again, 

bress  de  Lord ! 

BARBARA. 

Yes,  yes,  I  know.     Why  did  you  come  over  ? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Why,  I  done  been  tole,  missy,  as  how  all  dese  low  down, 
ornery  niggars  of  MASSA  FRIETCHIE'S  hez  clahed  out  with 
the  Yankees,  and  I  jes'  felt  in  my  bones  as  I  could  do  some 
thing  in  the  house  fo'  you. 

BARBARA. 
That's  very  kind  of  you,  MAMMY.     How's  SUE? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Oh,  she's  better ;  but  she  near  cotched  her  death  goin'  with 
you  to  Hagerstown.  She  talk  yet  exactly  like  a  bull-frog, 
she  does.  Missy  asked  if  you'd  seen  your  pa? 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  last  night ;  but  he  refuses  to  speak  to  me. 

MAMMY  Lu. 
Lord  o'  massy !  won't  speak  to  his  own  chile  ? 

BARBARA. 
[Rising.]     Not  a  word!     He  thinks  Pm  already  married 

87 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

to  CAPT.  TRUMBULL.  Now,  I  want  you  to  go  upstairs  to  the 
spare  room  [sending  MAMMY  up  the  stairs],  and  let  out  the 
man  you'll  find  in  the  chimney  closet. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Frightened,  stops  on  the  stairs,  half  way  up.]  A  man! 
For  Lawd's  sake,  missy ! 

BARBARA. 
Don't  be  afraid ;  he's  a  Rebel  soldier,  wounded. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Going  up  stairs  and  along  the  balcony  to  the  left.]  Po' 
man !  Done  been  hurted  by  some  ornery  Yank  ? 

BARBARA. 
No,  he  was  wounded  by  a  woman,  MAMMY. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Stops  surprised  a  moment  and  then  goes  on.]  Bress  my 
soul ! 

[Goes  from  off  the  balcony  through  the  door  at  the  left. 

BARBARA. 

[Calls  after  her.]     Bring  him  down  here! 

[She  turns  as  she  hears  some  one  enter.  FRIETCHIE  comes 
in  from  behind  the  stairs  as  she  speaks.  He  is  dusty  and 
dirty;  his  clothes  are  torn.  BARBARA  runs  toward  him.] 
Father ! 

[FRIETCHIE  stops  as  she  comes  to  him.  She  looks  ques- 
tioningly  at  him.  He  answers  her  gaze  with  his  eyes,  stern, 
without  speaking.}  Father !  speak  to  me ! 

[FRIETCHIE  moves  up  the  stage  to  get  past  her  and  go  to 
the  parlor  door.  BARBARA  steps  up  the  stage  at  the  same 
time  to  keep  in  front  of  him  and  block  his  way.]  No,  no, 
father !  The  fighting !  is  it  over  ? 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[She  waits,  but  FRIETCHIE  does  not  answer.  BARBARA 
puts  her  two  hands  on  her  father  pleadingly.}  Tell  me  some 
thing.  Who  is  wounded — who  is  safe?  CAPT.  TRUMBULL? 

[FRIETCHIE,  as  she  speaks  "TRUMBULL/'  deliberately  and 
firmly,  but  without  hurting  her,  takes  her  hands  off  him,  and, 
placing  her  out  of  his  way,  crosses  toward  the  parlor  door. 
BARBARA  calls  after  him,  almost  beside  herself.]  For 
Heaven's  sake,  father,  speak  to  me !  Listen !  I  will  tell  you 
the  truth !  I  am  not  married  to  CAPT,  TRUMBULL  ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Turning  by  the  door.]  Is  that  the  truth,  or  only  said  to 
make  me  tell  you  something  ? 

BARBARA. 

It  is  the  truth.  The  fighting  at  Hagerstown  kept  the 
Minister  away,  and  took  WILL  from  me  before  I  could  be  his 
wife! 

[Her  father  goes  to  her.]     Have  you  news  of  him ? 

FRIETCHIE. 
[Beside  her.}     No,  nothing! 

BARBARA. 

[Looking  him  straight  in  the  eyes.]  You  don't  know  if 
he's  safe,  or — wounded — or [She  stops.' 

FRIETCHIE. 
Better  for  you  if  he  were  among  the  missing ! 

BARBARA. 

[Pushing  him  away  from  her,  throws  herself  upon  the  bot 
tom  stairs.]  Oh,  you  are  too  cruel !  I  love  him !  I  love  him ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
You  love  your  father  too,  don't  you?     Well,  he's  my 


BARBARA  FR1ETCHIE. 

enemy  and  your  brother's ;  but  he  seems  to  have  driven  love 
for  your  brother  out  of  your  heart !     I've  not  heard  you  ask 

about  his  life ! 

BARBARA. 

[Eagerly.]     Oh,  yes,  ARTHUR;  have  you  seen  him? 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Proudly.]  No,  but  I've  heard!  He  was  in  the  thick  of 
it,  where  the  fighting  was  hottest!  Ahead,  always  ahead! 
God  bless  him !  my  boy ! 

BARBARA. 
He  s  alive? 

FRIETCHIE. 
Yes.     JACK  NEGLY  saw  him. 

BARBARA. 
[Rising.]     Thank  God  for  that,  for  that! 

FRIETCHIE. 

They  gave  COL.  NEGLY  his  commission  yesterday,  and 
JACK  enlisted  in  his  father's  regiment.  [BARBARA  stands 
with  her  arms  linked  around  the  newel  post  of  the  staircase. 
FRIETCHIE  walks  up  and  down  the  hall. 

They  say  the  old  war  horse  fought  well.  I  envy  him! 
But  even  he  doesn't  take  away  the  glory  from  our  boy.  Every 
one  I've  seen  agrees  Frederick  owes  most  to  ARTHUR 
FRIETCHIE,  that  she  is  once  more  under  the  Southern  flag. 
Come  upstairs  with  me  and  we'll  put  the  blessed  banner  out 
again. 

[At  the  foot  of  the  stairs  he  holds  out  his  hand  to  her  to 
take  her  upstairs  with  him. 

BARBARA. 

[Hesitating  and  not  giving  her  hand.]  Father — if — if  I 
told  you  I  had  wavered  in  my  allegiance  to  that  flag 

90 


BARBARA  FRIETCH1E. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Who  has  started  a  fezv  steps  up,  turns.]  I  wouldn't  be 
lieve  you  !  Come,  come,  BARBARA  ! 

[Leaning  over  the  railing  toward  her,  he  grows  more  ten 
der. 

You've  been  attracted  by  a  handsome  stranger  —  this  Yan 
kee  officer.  You  think  you  love  him,  but  you're  only  a  girl. 
Fm  an  old  man,  and  I  know  what  such  love  is  worth.  Wait 
till  your  older.  [Smoothing  her  hair  affectionately  with  his 
hands  as  she  stands  belozv  him,  leaning  against  the  newel 


BARBARA. 
My  mother  married  you  before  she  was  my  age  ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
Did  she  repent  it  ? 

BARBARA. 
No  !     Nor  will  I  when  I  marry  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Coming  down  again  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs.]  You'll 
never  marry  him!  Your  mother's  case  was  different.  She 
and  I  grew  up  together,  side  by  side,  and  when  I  first  laid 
you  in  your  mother's  arms  and  whispered  :  "BARBARA,  here's 
your  daughter!"  she  smiled  back  at  me  through  two  big  tears 
and  said,  "She's  yours;  make  her  as  happy  as  you've  made 
me!"  And  once  again,  the  night  before  she  died,  she  called 
you  mine,  and  said  :  "Find  her  a  husband,  Southern,  like  her 
father  ;  don't  let  her  go  away  into  the  cold  North  !  Keep  her 
near  you  —  to  take  —  my  place  -  " 

[Pie  breaks  down  for  a  second  and  turns  away,  but  con 
trols  himself  at  once,  and  turns  back  to  BARBARA. 

BARBARA,  your  mother's  youngest  brother,  your  Uncle 
Dick,  fell  in  the  fight  to-day,  killed  by  a  Northern  bullet  - 

91 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Taking  a  step  toward  him,  interjects.]     Uncle  Dick! 

FRIETCHIE. 

And  if  they  brought  here  even  the  dead  body  of  CAPT. 
TRUMBULL  I'd  refuse  it  resting  place  under  my  roof ! 

BARBARA. 

[Going  to  him  with  hand  raised  to  stop  the  ivords,  a  cry  of 
horror.}  Father! 

[Enter  GELWEX  on  the  balcony  from  the  door  left.  He  is 
in  civilian's  clothes,  his  right  arm  in  a  sling,  splintered  and 
bandaged.  He  comes  to  the  top  of  the  stairs. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Who's  this? 

BARBARA. 

A  Rebel  soldier  I've  been  hiding.  His  name  is  GELWEX. 
[GELWEX  comes  down  the  stairs. 

FRIETCHIE. 
[To  GELWEX.]     Were  you  fighting  to-day? 

GELWEX. 

No,  sir.  I  come  from  Hagerstown  with  the  young  lady 
couple  of  days  back. 

FRIETCHIE. 
You're  wounded  ? 

BARBARA. 
[Quickly  and  quietly.]     I  did  that ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
You? 

BARBARA. 
In  Hagerstown. 
[To  GELWEX.]     Tell  him  if  you  wish. 

Q2 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[She  goes  to  the  window  under  the  balcony  on  the  left  and 
stands  leaning  against  it,  looking  out.' 

GELWEX. 

[In  a  dogged  manner.}  I  was  a  sharpshooter  in  the 
Preacher's  house.  I  hed  a  grudge  against  CAPT.  TRUM- 
BULL.  He  come  along,  and  I  aimed,  but  she  shot  first ! 

FRIETCHTE. 

[Outraged,  angry.}  My  daughter  shot  a  soldier  of  the 
South !  Would  to  God  you'd  killed  him  first !  It's  he  who 
made  the  fighting  here  to-day  double  the  work.  We  almost 
had  the  town  when  he  came  on  with  reinforcements  and 
fought  like  a  very  devil ! 

BARBARA. 

[Who  has  come  quickly  forward  through  this  speech, 
eager  to  hear  of  CAPT.  TRUMBULL.]  You  told  me  you  knew 
nothing !  Tell  me  more ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

That's  all  I  know.  The  Yankees  turned  your  brain !  You, 
my  daughter,  shot  a  defender  of  the  South ! 

BARBARA. 

What  a  defender!  A  deserter  from  the  North,  paid  by 
our  troops  to  betray  his  own !  I  love  the  South,  but  I  think 
this  time  she's  wrong. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Wrong  ?    Hush !  you're  crazy ! 

BARBARA. 

No!  A  mother  loves  her  child  even  when  he's  naughty, 
and  so  I  love  the  South ;  but  the  only  flag  I'll  wave  is  the  flag 
of  the  Union,  the  flag  my  lover  fights  for ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
Silence ! 

93 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

[To  GELWEX.]     You  know  this  CAPT.  TRUMBULL? 
.  [BARBARA  goes  and  sits  on  the  long  bench  beside  the  chim 
ney,  watching  the  two  men. 

GELWEX. 
Yes,  sir. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Where's  your  company  now  ? 

GELWEX. 
Here  in  Frederick.     It's  your  son's,  sir. 

FRIETCHIE. 
You're  ready  to  rejoin? 

GELWEX. 

Yes,  sir ;  any  minute ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

Wait.     Come  with  me ;  I  want  a  word  with  you. 

[Motions  GELWEX  up  the  stairs  ahead  of  him;  GELWEX 
starts.  SUE  ROYCE  comes  in  from  the  parlor.  She  looks 
like  a  scarlet  peony  upside  down,  in  a  very  fashionable  dress 
of  high-colored,  rustling  flounces,  and  hugs  a  small,  three- 
cornered  white  worsted  shawl  tight  around  her  bare  shoul 
ders.  She  shoivs  evident  signs  of  a  heavy  cold  in  her  head, 
the  tip  of  her  pretty  little  nose  being  almost  as  red  as  her 
dress.  She  sniffles  constantly,  almost  without  cessation,  and 
pronounces  all  her  "m's"  like  "b's,"  her  "n's"  like  "d's"  and 
her  "c's"  like  "g's,"  etc.  Whenever  she  isn't  speaking,  she 
holds  a  small,  damp  wad  of  a  handkerchief  pathetically,  still 
gracefully,  to  her  nose.  BARBARA  motions  her  quickly  not  to 
speak,  with  a  finger  on  her  lips  and  a  gesture  to  FRIETCHIE 
and  GELWEX,,  who  are  about  to  go  upstairs,  not  wishing 
FRIETCHIE  to  know  SUE  has  come  in.  But  FRIETCHIE  hears 
the  door  slam  behind  SUE  and  turns.}  Ah!  Good  after 
noon,  SUE. 

94 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

[Attempting  dignity  and  politeness,  but  rather  fright 
ened.]  Good  ebening,  Bister [She  sneezes. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Have  you  seen  ARTHUR? 

SUE. 
Do,  sir.     I  thought  berhabs  he  was  here.     [She  sniffles. 

FRIETCHIE. 

Not  yet.     But  BARBARA  will  tell  you  about  him. 

[He  has  come  close  to  SUE  and  now  adds  in  an  undertone 
to  her:}  Shame  her,  if  you  can,  girl,  out  of  her  infatuation  for 
this  Northerner.  Go  on,  GELWEX. 

[FRIETCHIE  and  GELWEX  go  itpstairs  along  the  balcony 
and  enter  the  room  at  the  left. 

SUE. 

[Going  to  BARBARA.  They  sit  together  on  the  bench, 
where  they  speak  quietly,  almost  in  undertones.]  Doesn'd 
he  gnow  I  wend  do  Hagersdown  with  you  ? 

BARBARA. 
No. 

SUE. 
Dell  me  aboud  ARTHUR  ! 

BARBARA. 

I  only  know  he  was  very,  very  brave.  He  led  his  troops 
where  the  battle  was  fiercest. 

SUE. 

Oh,  I  wish  he  wouldn'd  do  thad  sord  of  thi'g.  [She  snif- 
nes;\ 

BARBARA. 
I  know  the  same  is  true,  too,  of  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  ;  but  I 


95 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

can't  hear  a  word  of  him !     And,  now  the  town's  in  the  hands 
of  the  Rebels,  how  will  he  send  me  word  ?    Unless,  perhaps, 

he's  taken  prisoner. 

SUE. 

•    And  thad  soldier  with  your  father ;  is  he  sdill  adgry  with 
GABDIN  DRUMBULL? 

BARBARA. 

I  don't  know.  I've  not  spoken  to  him.  No  one  dared  go 
near  his  hiding  place,  except  to  slip  him  food,  and  then  with 
out  a  word. 

SUE. 

He  bust  be  very  gradef  ul  to  you ! 

BARBARA. 
[Half  amused.}     Why?     For  shooting  him ? 

SUE. 
Do,  for  bri'gi'g  hib  here. 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  that  was  the  least  I  could  do  afterward.  Besides,  I 
thought  it  would  keep  him  away  from  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

[Enter  MAMMY  Lu.  Comes  again  through  the  parlor 
door,  this  time  with  a  steaming  plate  of  hot  biscuits.  She 

goes  to  BARBARA. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Thought  you  might  be  hungry,  honey. 

BARBARA. 
[Shaking  her  head.]     No,  thank  you,  MAMMY. 

MAMMY  Lu. 
But  your  pa  says  you  ain't  eat  nothing  to-day  1 

SUE. 

Deither  hab  I,  and  I'b  starbi'g,  BABBY.  [Taking  the  bis 
cuits  and  eating  ravenously. 

96 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Rising.]     Dear  MAMMY  Lu,  go  out  in  the  street  and  see 
if  you  can  hear  something  of  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 
[Moving  her  toward  the  street  dooi. 

MAMMY  Lu. 
Will  you  eat  something,  honey,  if  I  do  ? 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  yes ! 

MAMMY  Lu. 
Dat's  a  promise !     Dat's  a  promise,  chile !     [And  she  goes 

out. 

SUE. 

Oh,  don'd  you  hade  war  ?  [She  sniffles. 

BARBARA. 

[Moving  about  restlessly.]      We  brought  this  on  our 
selves  ! 

SUE. 
Whad! 

BARBARA.. 
It's  true ! 

SUE. 

I'll  nod  stay  here  if  you  go  od !     I  wo'der  a  boldt  doesn'd 
cub  dowd  and  strige  you  lige  Sapphira! 

BARBARA. 

Don't  be  foolish ;  it's  a  battle's  thunder  in  our  air. 
[A  sigh.]     Dear  God,  for  news  of  him ! 
[It  is  sunset,  and  from  now  on  the  dusk  begins  to  steal  into 
the  house.     MAMMY  Lu  comes  hurriedly  in. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Miss  SUE!  Miss  SUE!     Come,  missy!     Come  with  you 
ole  MAMMY  ! 


97 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
What's  the  matter,  MAMMY?    CAPT.  TRUMBULL? 

MAMMY  Lu. 
He's  coming,  missy !  he's  hyah ! 

SUE. 

BudBABBY? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Taking  her  arm.}  Don't  ask  me  no  questions,  chile ;  but 
jes'  come  on  with  your  ole  MAMMY.  [Goes  through  the  par 
lor  door  with  SUE. 

[BARBARA  starts  to  follow,  calling  "MAMMY/'  but  stops  as 
ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE  and  a  Southern  soldier — haggard,  blood 
and  powder  stained — enter,  supporting  in  their  arms  the 
body  of  CAPT.  TRUMBULL.  He  is  wounded  in  the  breast, 
and,  wrapped  tightly  around  to  staunch  the  wound,  in  a  nar 
row,  twisted  strip,  is  BARBARA'S  Hag. 

ARTHUR. 

BARBARA  !  [He  leans  against  the  newel  post  to  support 
himself  and  his  burden. 

BARBARA. 

WILL!  [Going  quickly  to  them.  The  other  soldier  goes 
out  by  the  front  door. 

TRUMBULL. 

[Leaving  ARTHUR'S  arm  to  step  a  half  step  toward  BAR 
BARA;  he  is  half  dazed.}  Good-bye,  girl 

[He  staggers,  half  falls.  ARTHUR  and  BARBARA  catch 
him.  He  lies  half  on  the  floor,  resting  in  BARBARA'S  arms, 
who  kneels  beside  him,  holding  his  head  on  her  bosom.1 

BARBARA. 
WILL  !     My  husband !    Hurt !  hurt ! 

98 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

TRUMBULL. 

[Half  raising  himself  with  the  force  of  a  man  in  fever,  and 
thinking  he  is  again  in  battle.]  Come  on,  boys!  come  on! 
Push  ahead !  Take  the  town  and  stop  the  bloodshed,  before 
we  make  the  place  full  of  widows  and  fatherless !  That's  the 
only  way,  even  though  we  must  leave  some  sweethearts  and 
mothers  with  aching  hearts  at  home.  On!  on!  Beat  the 
drum,  boy!  Beat  with  all  your  might!  Follow  the  flag! 
For  country  and  for  love!  Ah! — I'm  hit!  But  don't  mind 
me.  No!  no!  Go  on!  I've  something  here'll  staunch  the 
wound  and  keep  my  heart  beating  till  I  see  her !  [He  pauses 
a  moment  and  then  adds  in  an  undertone.]  Good  God,  AR 
THUR  FRIETCHIE  !  You  fired  that  shot !  Don't  let  her  know 
her  brother Don't  let  her  know [He  falls  at  BAR 
BARA'S  feet. 

BARBARA. 

[Rising,  with  a  wild  cry.]     ARTHUR  !  you? 

ARTHUR. 
Yes,  I 

BARBARA. 
[Beside  herself.]  No !  no ! 

ARTHUR. 
Forgive  me — I  didn't  know  him — I 

BARBARA. 
[Lifting  her  arm  in  menace.]  If  he  dies ! — you! 


TRUMBULL. 

[Half  lifting  himself  again.]     Good-bye,  girl ! 
[BARBARA  and  ARTHUR  hold  him  upright  in  their  arms. 

FRIETCHIE. 
[Upstairs,  in  the  room  left,  calls.]     BARBARA! 


99 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

[Aghast,  and  with  a  movement  to  cover  TRUMBULL  from 
view.]  Father! 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Calls  again  from  the  room.]  What's  going  on?  Is  AR 
THUR  back  ? 

BARBARA. 

No!  [ARTHUR  starts  to  speak  in  contradiction,  but  BAR 
BARA  stops  him  ivith  her  hand  on  his  arm.  She  calls  to 
FRIETCHIE.]  I'm  coming  upstairs,  father;  I'll  tell  you  in  a 
minute ! 

ARTHUR. 
[Whispers.]     Why? 

BARBARA. 

]Whispers.]  Father  swore  to  me  just  now  he  wouldn't 
let  even  the  dead  body  of  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  lie  in  this  house. 
Quick!  Call  MAMMY  Lu,  softly.  [Pointing  to  the  parlor 
door.]  Then  go  for  a  doctor. 

[He  goes  to  the  door  and  calls,  not  in  a  loud  voice. 

ARTHUR. 
MAMMY  Lu ! 

MAMMY  Lu. 
[From  inside.]     Yaas,  sir. 

ARTHUR. 
[Coming  back  to  BARBARA.]     Til  ask  HAL  BOYD  to  come. 

BARBARA. 
But  he  knows  WILL  ! 

ARTHUR. 

That's  all  right.  We  can  trust  him,  and  he's  done  splendid 
work  to-day.  Hide  TRUMBULL.  We're  sending  a  provost's 
guard  about  the  town  to  get  all  wounded  Union  men  and 
make  them  prisoners. 

100 


BARBARA  E 


[Going  toward  the  front  door,  he  turns.]  Hide  him  well  ! 
They  haven't  time  to  argue  about  how  badly  wounded  a  man 
is.  If  they  find  TRUMBULL,  they'll  take  him.  [He  goes  out 
into  the  street. 

[BARBARA,  leaning  against  the  newel  post  with  TRUM 
BULL,  her  arms  about  him,  holds  her  face  close  to  his,  her 
cheek  against  his  cheek. 

BARBARA. 

Oh,  live!  live!  [MAMMY  Lu  re-enters.  She  starts  in 
sympathetic  surprise. 

[BARBARA  speaks  quickly.]  Not  a  word,  MAMMY  !  Help 
me  !  Quick  !  Get  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  up  to  my  room  ! 

MAMMY  Lu. 
Your  room  ? 

BARBARA. 
Oh,  yes!     And  MR.  FRIETCHIE  mustn't  know.    No  one 

must  know  ! 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Yaas,  missy.  [TRUMBULL  helps  himself,  with  one  hand 
on  the  railing.  BARBARA  and  MAMMY  Lu  help  him  at  the 
other  side.  They  start  up  the  stairs. 

BARBARA. 

Careful  !  careful  !  [  The  sun  has  set  and  it  has  grown 
quite  dark  in  the  house.  FRIETCHIE  comes  out  on  the  bal 
cony. 

FRIETCHIE. 
What  is  it,  BARBARA? 

BARBARA. 

[Stepping  in  front  of  TRUMBULL  to  hide  him.]  Don't 
come  down,  father  —  it's  a  wounded  soldier. 

FRIETCHIE. 
A  Union  man  or  Rebel  ? 

101 


BARBARA. 
[After  a  second's  hesitation.]     A  Union  man'! 

FRIETCHIE. 
[Angry.]     Was  there  no  other  house  for  him  to  go  to? 

BARBARA. 
[Reproachfully.]     Hush,  father!     He's  badly  hurt! 

FRIETCHIE. 
[Starting  to  come  down  to  them.}     Let  me  help  you. 

BARBARA. 

[Quickly.}  No!  Save  time  by  getting  us  some  lint  from 
the  sewing  room.  MAMMY  and  I  can  manage  all  right. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Lint  and  some  bandages,  and  I'll  send  you  GELWEX. 

BARBARA. 
[Quickly.}     No!  no! 

FRIETCHIE. 
[  Turning. }     Why  not  ? 

BARBARA. 

Yes!  I  mean  yes!  [FRIETCHIE  goes  into  the  room,  left. 
BARBARA  and  MAMMY  Lu  help  and  urge  TRUMBULL  on 
faster  up  the  stairs.]  Quick !  Hurry !  hurry ! 

[GELWEX  enters  on  the  balcony,  and.  crossing,  meets  them 
just  at  the  head  of  the  stairs. 

GELWEX. 
Let  me  help  you,  lady ! 

BARBARA. 

[Trying  to  hide  TRUMBULL.]  No!  I  don't  want  your 
help! 

IO2 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

GELWEX. 

The  CAPTAIN  ! 

BARBARA. 

Hush !     Open  that  door  for  us  and  go  in. 

[Motioning  to  the  room  off  the  balcony,  right,  BARBARA'S 
room.  GELWEX  opens  the  door.  He  goes  into  the  room, 
they  following  him;  MAMMY  closes  the  door  behind  them. 
SUE  comes  from  the  parlor  with  a  lighted  lamp,  which  lights 
up  the  hall.  At  the  same  time  FRIETCHIE  re-enters  on  the 
balcony  and  goes  to  BARBARA'S  room.  MAMMY  comes  out 
and  meets  him,  holding  the  door  shut  behind  her. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Yaas,  sah,  I'll  take  'em,  MASSA  FRIETCHIE.  De  Rebel 
soldier,  he's  inside  with  Miss  BARBARA  and  says  they  don't 
ought  ter  be  no  mo'  in  de  room. 

SUE. 

[Who  has  placed  the  lamp  on  the  table  in  the  window, 
speaks  up  to  MAMMY  Lu.]  BABBY,  where's  BISTER  AR 
THUR? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

He  done  gone  for  a  doctor,  missy. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Coming  down  the  stairs,  speaks  proudly.}  What  do  you 
think  of  my  boy? 

SUE. 

I  thi'g  so  buch  ob  your  boy  thad  Pb  goi'g  to  tage  hib  away 
frob  you !  [She  sniffles. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Nothing  of  the  sort ! 

[Kissing  her.]     You'll  have  to  take  me  with  him! 
[ARTHUR  comes  back  with  HAL  Bo  YD. 


103 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

FRIETCHIE. 
My  son !     [Going  toward  him* 

SUE. 
[At  the  same  time.]     ARTHUR  ! 

ARTHUR. 

SUE  !  [Passing  his  father,  he  goes  to  her  and  embraces 
her.  With  SUE  still  in  his  arms,  he  stretches  out  his  right 
arm  and  hand  to  his  father,  who  takes  it  and  wrings  it 
warmly. 

FRIETCHIE. 
Oh,  my  boy !     If  only  your  mother  could  be  here  to-day ! 

ARTHUR. 

Excuse  me,  father.  [SuE  and  FRIETCHIE  then  notice  HAL 
at  the  same  time  and  greet  him. 

[To  HAL,  motioning  up  to  BARBARA'S  foom.]  In  that 
room,  HAL. 

[HAL  bows  and  hurries  up  the  stairs  to  the  room  and  raps 
gently  on  the  door.  It  is  opened  by  MAMMY  Lu.  HAL  goes 
in. 

ARTHUR. 

[To  his  father.]  The  wounded  man  upstairs — he  hasn't 
died? 

FRIETCHIE. 

I  think  not ;  I  haven't  seen  him.  Your  man  GELWEX  and 
BARBARA  are  with  him. 

ARTHUR. 
Pray  God  he  lives ! 

FRIETCHIE. 
You  know  him  ? 

ARTHUR. 
I  shot  him! 


104 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

SUE. 

[In  horror,  cries  out.]     ARTHUR!  you  shot  CAPTAIN 

[She  stops  herself  before  she  says  the  name,  startled  by  a 
warning  look  from  ARTHUR. 

FRIETCHIE. 

Captain  ?     Captain  who  ?    Who  is  the  man  upstairs  ? 

[ARTHUR  and  SUE  are  at  a  loss  for  an  answer  and  remain 
silent.  FRIETCHIE  watches  them,  waiting  for  his  answer. 
He  goes  to  ARTHUR.]  Who  is  the  man ? 

[BARBARA'S  door  upstairs  opens  and  GELWEX  comes  out. 
ARTHUR,  FRIETCHIE  and  SUE  look  up  to  see  who  it  is, 

FRIETCHIE. 
[With  determination,  looking  up  at  GELWEX.]     GELWEX  ! 

GELWEX. 

[Coming  to  the  stairs  and  starting  down  them.]  Yes, 
sir. 

FRIETCHIE. 

Who  is  the  wounded  man  in  my  daughter's  room? 

[The  question  stops  GELWEX  half  way  down  the  stairs;  he 
looks  at  FRIETCHIE,  startled  by  the  question.  BARBARA 
steals  out  from  her  room,  closing  the  door  softly  behind  her, 
and  listens  on  the  balcony.  ARTHUR  and  SUE  listen,  intent 
and  frightened.  GELWEX  makes  no  answer. 

It's  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  ! 

GELWEX. 
You're  right,  sir. 

BARBARA. 

[To  GELWEX.]  You  told  him!  I  knew  I  couldn't  trust 
you ! 

GELWEX. 
No,  lady !     Didn't  you  hear  ?    The  old  gent  guessed  it ! 


105 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Sternly  to  ARTHUR,  and  with  meaning.]  ARTHUR,  take 
SUE  away  from  here ! 

ARTHUR. 

But,  father ? 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Very  slowly.}     Take — SUE — away! 
[ARTHUR  looks  up  at  BARBARA  to  see  what  she  wishes; 
she  motions  "yes"  with  her  head,  standing  on  the  balcony 
fearless,  determined,  and  calm.    ARTHUR  goes  with  SUE  out 
through  the  parlor. 

FRIETCHIE. 
GELWEX  ! 

GELWEX. 
Yes,  sir? 

[Comes  down  the  stairs.  At  the  same  time  BARBARA 
moves  with  calm  determination  along  the  balcony  to  the  top 
of  the  stairs  where,  standing,  she  blocks  the  passage. 

FRIETCHIE. 

GELWEX,  go  upstairs  and  get  that  damned  Yankee  out  of 
my  daughter's  room,  by  God ! 

GELWEX. 
Yes,  sir. 

FRIETCHIE. 
And  out  of  my  house.     Out  into  the  street  with  him ! 

BARBARA. 

No!  no!  father!  [Flying  down  the  stairs  toward  him.} 
It  would  kill  him! 

FRIETCHIE. 

Let  it!     That's  not  my  look  out!     [To  GELWEX.]     Go! 
[GELWEX  starts  toward  the  stairs. 

106 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 

No !  [GELWEX  stops  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  and,  turning, 
looks  at  FRIETCHIE  for  another  command.]  You  can't  carry 
your  hatred  of  the  North  so  far  as  that !  This  man  is  wound 
ed,  perhaps  to  death 

FRIETCHIE. 
I  won't  shelter  him ! 

BARBARA. 

Isn't  it  enough  that  your  own  son  gave  him  his  wound! 
Need  you  triumph  over  that? 

FRIETCHIE. 

He  came  here  to  war  against  my  son.  He's  taken  you 
from  me,  and  made  you  a  traitor  to  your  country ! 

BARBARA. 
Never  a  traitor ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

Wasn't  it  enough  that  the  North  should  come  and  lay 
waste  our  land,  that  this  man  should  push  his  way  into  my 
very  house  and  lay  its  happiness  in  ruins  ?  Do  as  I  told  you, 
GELWEX  ! 

[GELWEX  starts  again  to  go  up  the  stairs. 

BARBARA. 

[Stopping  him.}     No!     Wait! 

[She  turns  to  her  father,  stands  behind  his  back.]  I  can't 
argue  with  you,  father.  I  can  only  beg  and  pray. 

[She  sinks  slowly  and  softly  to  her  knees,  clasping  his 
hands  and  arms.]  Let  him  stay !  Let  him  stay ! 

FRIETCHIE. 

No!  [GELWEX  turns  his  back  discreetly,  and  watches  the 
street  through  the  window. 


107 


BARBARA  FRIETCHiE. 

BARBARA. 

[Softly.]  I  love  him !  If  he  goes,  /  go  with  him.  If  he 
dies,  7  die !  It  will  kill  him  !  Let  him  stay !  [Stealing  her 
hand  about  his  where  it  hangs  clenched  tight  at  his  side. 

FRIETCHIE. 
No!     [Drawing  his  hand  away. 

BARBARA. 

[Rising.]  Yes!  yes!  Don't  you  remember  what  you 
said  to  me  a  little  while  ago?  /  can  still  see  the  picture  if 
you  can't.  The  big  old  rosewood  bed  we  all  of  us  knew  as 
mother's, — I  can  see  her  sweet  face  pale  on  the  great  pillow — 
I  see  you  bending  over  her  with  a  tiny  bundle  in  your  arms — 
I  see  you  place  me — oh,  so  gently ! — in  those  dear  thin  hands 
— I  hear  you  whisper,  "Barbara,  here's  your  daughter!"  and 
I  see  her  smile  up  at  you  through  her  tears  and  say,  "Make 
her  as  happy  as  you've  made  me!"  Father,  my  only  happi 
ness,  all  the  joy  there  can  ever  be  for  me  in  this  world,  de 
pends  on  the  life  of  that  man  upstairs !  Send  him  out  to 

die  in  our  streets! [A  pause.]     You  break  my  heart — 

and — and  damn  my  soul,  for  if  merciful  death  shouldn't 
come  to  me,  I  swear  to  you  before  heaven,  I'd  go  myself  to 
meet  death! 

[Through  this  speech  FRIETCHIE  has  been  gradually 
moved;  BARBARA  sees  this,  and  increases  her  pleading,  pite 
ous  tones.  She  finishes  with  the  threat  in  almost  a  whisper; 
not  an  angry  tone,  but  an  exalted  one.  Still  FRIETCHIE  does 
not  altogether  relent,  and  standing  behind  him  she  cannot  see 
the  tears  in  his  eyes.  Her  own  eyes  filling  and  her  voice 
breaking  pitifully,  she  leans  her  head  and  hands  upon  his 
shoulder  and  begs  again.]  Please — let  him  stay! — please! 


108 


BARBARA  FRIETCPIIE. 

FRIETCHIE. 

[Turns  and  looks  into  BARBARA'S  face,  his  own  shamed 
and  trembling  with  emotion.]     He  stays! 
[He  takes  her  in  his  arms  and  kisses  her. 

BARBARA. 
[To  GELWEX.]     You  heard?    He  stays! 

GELWEX. 
Yes,  lady! 

BARBARA. 

[Embracing  her  father.]  Oh!  You  are  twice  my  father 
to-day !  And  now  one  more  thing.  ARTHUR  says  a  pro 
vost's  guard  will  come  to  our  house  and  if  they  find  CAPT. 
TRUMBULL,  will  take  him.  Could  you  see  General  Jackson? 
Could  you  keep  our  house  shut  to  them  ?  Surely  the  Rebels 
can  trust  you. 

FRIETCHIE. 

I  can  see  General  Jackson,  but  I  won't  lie  to  him,  daugh 
ter! 

BARBARA. 

You  needn't !  Only  ask  him  to  trust  us  with  our  wounded 
whether  they  be  Rebels  or  Union  men. 

FRIETCHIE. 
I'll  see  what  I  can  do. 

BARBARA. 
Take  GELWEX  with  you,  but  don't  tell  him  your  errand. 

FRIETCHIE. 
GELWEX,  come !     We'll  look  for  news ! 

BARBARA. 

You'll  make  haste,  father?  [GELWEX  goes  out  behind  the 
staircase. 

109 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

FRIETCHIE. 

Yes.  And,  BARBARA,  you  won't  forget  while  I'm  gone, 
the  master  of  the  house  is  a  Rebel! 

BARBARA. 
No,  father. 

[FRIETCHIE  goes  out.  HAL  BOYD  comes  from  BARBARA'S 
room  and  crossing  the  balcony,  comes  down  the  stairs.  BAR 
BARA  goes  eagerly  to  meet  him. 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  yes  ? 

HAL. 
He  is  quieter! 

BARBARA. 
Well? 

HAL. 
MAMMY  Lu's  a  good  nurse. 

BARBARA. 
But  he  will  live? 

HAL. 

[Very  slowly.}  He  has  one  chance  in  a [He  hesi 
tates. 

BARBARA. 
Hundred  ? 

HAL. 
In  a  thousand!     [A  moment's  pause. 

BARBARA. 

[Sinking  on  the  stairs.}  You've  left  medicine — every 
thing? 

HAL. 

There  is  only  one  medicine  that  will  save  him,  BARBARA, 
and  that  is  Nature's!  Sleep!  If  he  sleeps,  the  fever  may 
abate — may — one  chance  in 

no 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
A  thousand? 

HAL. 
Yes. 

BARBARA. 
But  a  chance ! 

HAL. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  fever  setting  in,  with  that  wound, 
the  man  will  die  before  morning. 

BARBARA. 
[To  her  self.]     Sleep! 

HAL. 

Or  absolute  quiet!     Don't  let  anyone  disturb  him.     Don't 
even  go  yourself  till  morning.     No  one  must  go  into  his 

room  to-night. 

BARBARA. 

I'll  watch  here. 

HAL. 
I  wish  I  could  watch  with  you. 

BARBARA. 
You  can't? 

HAL. 

No — I'm  needed — there  are  many  wounded,  and  yet  it's 
so  imperative,  BARBARA,  he  shouldn't  be  disturbed.     [Gives 

his  hand  to  her. 

BARBARA. 

[Takes  his  hand.]     There  is  hope! 

HAL. 

There  is  always  hope,  thank  God!    [pressing  her  hand 
firmly,  and  then  going 

BARBARA. 
[Alone.]      Absolute  quiet — that's  what  I  can  do!      I'll 


in 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

stay  here  and  watch  till  morning  and  then  take  MAMMY'S 
place. 

[The  front  door  bursts  open  and  JACK  NEGLY  enters.  He 
bears  the  marks  of  battle  upon  him.  His  appearance  is  wild 
and  disordered.  His  disappointed  love  for  BARBARA,  and 
his  terrible  experience  of  the  horrors  of  war  that  day  have 
overturned  the  boy's  brain.  He  enters  like  a  small  whirl 
wind,  throwing  his  hat  high  in  the  air,  and  showering  BAR 
BARA  with  a  mass  of  field  flowers  he  had  gathered  roughly 
and  stuck  in  his  belt. 

JACK. 

[Shouting  as  he  comes  in.]  Hello  BAB  !  We've  won ! 
We've  won ! 

BARBARA. 

[Going  quickly  to  him.]  Hush!     Lower  your  voice! 

JACK. 
Why? 

BARBARA. 
We've  a  sick  soldier  in  the  house ! 

JACK. 

He'll  be  glad  to  hear  me  shouting!  He'll  know  we've 
won! 

[Louder.]  Three  cheers  for  Maryland  and  Stonewall 
Jackson !  Hooray ! 

[He  is  interrupted  by  BARBARA. 

BARBARA. 
[Seizing  his  arm.}     Hush !  I  tell  you ! 

JACK. 

[Sings  and  dances  around  her  in  a  circle.]  Ho!  Hey! 
My  tragedy  queen  BARBARA  has  her  fine  airs  on !  [Repeat 
ing  ad  lib. 

112 


Photo  by  Byron. 


'/'//  stay  line  and  7i'a/ch  till 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
For  heaven's  sake,  keep  still  and  quiet! 

JACK. 

[Creeping  up  to  her  softly,  crazily.]  I'll  be  quiet  if  you'll 
marry  me !  Eh  ? 

BARBARA. 
Aren't  you  tired  of  asking  me  that  question  ? 

JACK. 

No!     I'll  never  tire !     [Sings  again  and  dances. 

Will  you  marry  me,  marry  me,  marry  me,  will  you  marry 
me,  BABBY? 

Come !  Let's  go  upstairs  and  see  your  sick  soldier !  I'll 
tell  him  how  we  won  the  fight  and  I  won  you !  [  With  a 
movement  toward  the  staircase. 

BARBARA. 

[Getting  to  staircase  before  him,  and  blocking  his  pas 
sage.]  No! 

JACK. 

Then  marry  me,  marry  me  now !  How  I  fought !  I  wish 
you  had  seen  me!  I  killed  three  Yankees  one  after  the 
other,  and  all  for  you!  Do  you  understand?  Because  I 
love  you,  and  I  want  to  make  you  love  me !  Where's  your 
Northern  lover?  I  heard  he  was  there  with  his  company 
pegging  away  at  us !  And  I  tried  to  find  him,  but 

[He  breaks  off  suddenly,  and  an  inspiration  Hashes  over 
his  face. 

[Laughing.]  I  know  where  he  is!  Ha,  ha!  That's 
good !  He's  the  sick  soldier  upstairs,  and  no  more  sick  than 
I  am,  but  I'll  make  him  sick ! 

[Pulls  out  a  pistol.  BARBARA  stands  at  the  foot  of  the 
stairs,  blocking  the  way. 


113 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[With  low  intensity.]     Lower  your  voice! 

JACK. 

[Changing.]  They  say  I'm  mad!  Well,  so  I  am!  From 
loving  you  !  And  you  made  me  love  you,  didn't  you  ? 

BARBARA. 
I  flirted  with  you,  yes,  and  heaven  knows,  I'm  sorry  for 

it! 

JACK. 

Yes ;  you  flirted  with  me.  You  knew  I  was  in  love  with 
you,  and  you  led  me  on.  [He  pauses  a  moment,  but  she  does 
not  answer.]  It  was  fine,  wasn't  it?  As  many  strings  to 
your  bow  as  you  could  get !  The  more  the  merrier,  for  you ! 
But  it  was  misery  and  hell  for  me !  I  thought  you  cared  for 
me.  [He  half  throws  himself  upon  the  bench  beside  the 
chimney.]  And  so  you  would  have  [he  jumps  up]  ;  and  so 
you  will,  my  BAB,  before  Pm  through !  I  went  into  this  war 
to  kill  that  man  and  I'll  do  it  yet. 

[He  takes  a  step  toward  BARBARA;  she  stands  ^upright, 
firm,  undaunted,  in  front  of  the  staircase.  A  moment's 

pause. 

BARBARA. 

You  certainly  are  mad  to  think  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  is  up 
stairs. 

JACK. 

Isn't  he? 

[CoL.  NEGLY  enters  through  the  front  door  with  a  provost 
guard  of  Six  CONFEDERATE  SOLDIERS. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

Miss  BARBARA,  we  are  going  through  the  houses  for  Yan 
kee  prisoners.  If  your  father  is  home  his  word'll  do  that 
you've  none  concealed  here. 


114 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
Won't  my  word  do  as  well  ? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

No !  yours  won't !  We  all  know  you  threw  my  boy  over 
for  a  confounded  Yankee.  [JACK  stands  beside  the  fire 
place.  ]  God  forgive  you,  /  cant ! 

BARBARA. 
My  love  for  my  country  has  not  altered. 

COL.  NEGLY. 
Has  your  love  for  this  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  ? 

BARBARA. 
No! 

COL.  NEGLY. 

I  thought  not,  and  his  friends  are  your  friends !  We  must 
search. 

JACK. 

And  he's  there,  hidden  in  BARBARA'S  room — I  know  it! 
CAPT.  TRUMBULL! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
What  ?     The  dog  who  came  between  you  two  ? 

BARBARA. 

No!    It's  a  mad  idea  he  has,  that  CAPT.  TRUMBULL'S  here. 
[GELWEX  comes  into  the  hall  from  the  street.     BARBARA 
looks  at  him  frightened. 

JACK. 
Ask  him!  he  knows !     Isn't  CAPT.  TRUMBULL  upstairs ? 

GELWEX. 

[Turns  and  looks  at  BARBARA  a  moment.  She  looks 
pleadingly  into  his  eyes.  ]  No  f 


BARBARA  FRIETCHiE. 

COL.  NEGLY. 
I'll  not  take  his  word  for  it;  we'll  finish  our  search.     [To 

his  men.  ]     Come ! 

BARBARA. 

[At  the  foot  of  the  staircase.]  No — listen — we  have  both 
lied.  The  wounded  man  is  CAPT.  TRUMBULL. 

JACK. 
I  knew  it! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
No w  I  wipe  out  my  score  with  him ! 

BARBARA. 
But  you  mustn't  take  him  away — to  move  him  will  be 

death ! 

COL.  NEGLY. 

His  life  for  my  boy's  brain ! 

BARBARA. 
What  do  you  mean? 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[To  his  men.]  Up  the  stairs!  [His  foot  on  the  lower 
step — the  soldiers  move  to  follow. 

BARBARA. 
No,  COL.  NEGLY,  you  shall  not  pass ! 

COL.  NEGLY. 
Out  of  my  way,  girl ! 

BARBARA. 

No!  you'll  have  to  drag  me  down  these  stairs!  Use 
force !  let  your  men  charge  bayonets  !  for  of  my  own  full  will 
I  will  not  move! 

GELWEX. 

Hold  on, 'here's  MR.  FRIETCHIE!  [As  FRIETCHIE  enters 
with  a  paper.  He  sees  NEGLY. 

116 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
[Leaning  over  the  stair  rail  eagerly.]  Father! 

FRIETCHIE. 
NEGLY,  old  friend? 

BARBARA. 
Have  you  got  it? 

FRIETCHIE. 

Yes.  [Giving  her  the  paper.  Site  hurriedly  glances  over 
it. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

FRIETCHIE,,  old  friend,  Pm  under  orders  to  search  your 
house. 

BARBARA. 

[Giving  the  paper  to  COL.  NEGLY.]  This  spares  you,  sir, 
that  disagreeable  duty ! 

[CoL.  NEGLY  reads  it,  with  a  smothered  exclamation,  gives 
an  order  to  his  men  and  goes  out,  followed  by  the  guard. 
JACK  also  seems  to  follow,  but  stays  hidden  behind  the 
stairs. 

BARBARA. 

[To  her  father.]     Follow  them  and  guard  the  front  door 

for  me !     This  house  is  my  fort  now  and  I  mean  to  hold  it ! 

[FRIETCHIE  goes  out  under  the  staircase.     BARBARA  turns 

to  GELWEX.]     And  you!  why  did  you  help  me?     [Giving 

him  her  hand. 

GELWEX. 
[Embarrassed.]  I  don't  know. 

BARBARA. 
Yes,  tell  me. 

GELWEX. 
It  was  the  least  I  could  do. 


117 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

BARBARA. 
Why? 

GELWEX. 

[With  a  half  smile.]  Don't  know  another  woman  good 
enough  shot  to  only  "wing"  me! — [indicating  his  wounded 

arm. 

BARBARA. 

[Smiling  gratefully  at  him,  leads  him  toward  the  parlor 
door.]  Watch  this  side  of  the  house  for  me.  Let  no  one  in. 

GELWEX. 

All  right,  lady.  [Looks  at  her  with  respectful  affection, 
and  goes  out.  BARBARA  goes  to  the  lamp.  Behind  her  back 
meanwhile  JACK  has  cunningly  and  softly  stolen  along  the 
other  side  of  the  staircase,  and  when  BARBARA  puts  out  the 
lamp  he  is  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  on  his  hands  and  knees, 
ready  to  crawl  up.  BARBARA,  coming  slowly  forward  in  the 
dark,  gives  a  sudden  cry  as  she  sees  JACK'S  creeping  figure, 
in  the  moonlight,  half  way  up  the  stairs.  JACK  hurries  as 

he  hears  her  voice, 

BARBARA. 

[In  a  tone  of  command.]     JACK  ! 

[He  starts,  stops,  turns  and  stands  facing  her.  With  her 
hand  on  the  newel  post  at  the  foot  of  the  staircase,  she 
looks  him  straight  in  the  face,  trying  to  impel  him  by  her 
will  power  to  obey  her;  after  a  second's  pause,  she  speaks: 

Come  down  those  stairs!  [He  half  laughs,  half  sneers 
and  turns  to  go  up  farther,  but  a  little  hesitatingly.  She 
speaks  again. 

JACK  NEGLY!  [He  turns  slowly  and  faces  her,  with  a 
half  laugh,  half  sneer;  she  fixes  him  with  her  eyes;  his  own 
try  to  shift,  but  -finally  are  fixed  in  return  upon  hers;  after 
a  second  and  still  holding  him  with  her  eyes,  she  repeats  in 
a  low  but  firm,  strong  voice. 

118 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

Come  back !  [After  a  few  seconds'  pause,  with  his  eyes 
still  fixed  upon  hers,  he  comes  slowly  down  the  stairs;  at 
the  foot  he  sinks  down,  bursting  into  sobs. 

JACK. 

Oh,  BARBARA  !  BARBARA  !  you  have  broken  my  heart ! 

[BARBARA  leans  over  him  and  touches  his  shoulder  pity 
ingly. 

BARBARA. 

Forgive  me.     Forgive  me — by  not  breaking  mine ! 

[She  gradually  influences  and  leads  him  away  from  the 
stairs,  and  guides  him  from  the  hall  into  the  room  where 
GELWEX  is.  She  shuts  the  door,  and  leans  against  it  alone 
a  moment  to  gather  strength. 

BARBARA. 

One  chance  in  a  thousand.  [She  goes  slowly  to  the  stairs, 
and  up  them  dragging  herself  along  by  the  rail;  once  she 
nearly -falls.  At  the  top  she  rests  a  moment. 

I'll  fight  for  that  chance!  [She  steals  softly  to  the  closed 
door  behind  which  TRUMBULL  lies.  Reaching  the  door  she 
kneels  beside  it,  and  pressing  her  ear  close  she  listens  intently 
as — 

The  Curtain  Falls. 


119 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 


THE   FOURTH   ACT. 

THE    NEXT    MORNING. 

THE  FIRST  SCENE. — BARBARA'S  room.  A  large,  square 
bedroom,  whose  walls  are  covered  with  a  big  pink-flowered 
paper,  chintz  of  a  like  color  and  pattern  draping  the  windoiv, 
dressing  table  and  old  four-posted  bed.  A  set  of  rosewood 
furniture  is  covered  with  "slips"  of  this  same  chintz  also. 
It  is  the  cool-looking  room  of  a  lovable  girl.  It  is  not  lit 
tered  and  cluttered  with  knick-knacks  and  memorial  rub 
bish,  but  there  are  a  few  photographs  of  interesting,  if  not 
all  beautiful,  people  about,  and  the  dressing  table  is  strewn 
with  the  pretty,  useful  and  ornamental  paraphernalia  of  a 
woman's  toilet.  On  the  left  is  a  door  which  leads  out  onto 
the  upstairs  balcony  of  the  hall,  and  a  window  at  the  back. 
The  bed  stands  out  from  the  wall  on  the  right  side  of  the 
room,  and  by  it  stands  now  a  small  table.  On  this  are  some 
linen  cloths,  a  glass  of  water,  a  cup  and  saucer  and  a  smallish 
hand  lamp,  lit.  Beside  this  table  in  a  high-backed  arm  chair 
sits  MAMMY  Lu,  very  lightly  dosing.  The  window  curtains 
are  closed  and  drawn,  and  there  is  a  faint,  cold,  gray  light 
in  the  room.  In  the  bed  lies  CAPT.  TRUMBULL.  The  door 
opens  very  slowly  and  softly,  and  BARBARA  steals  in.  She 


120 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

is  pale  and  anxious,  her  dress  somewhat  disordered,  and  her 
hair  unbound  and  disarranged.  She  closes  the  door  gently 
behind  her,  and  pauses  a  second,  as  MAMMY  opens  her  eyes 
and  rouses  herself.  She  sees  BARBARA  and  nods  her  head 
slowly  but  encouragingly,  and  rising,  comes  slowly  and  soft 
ly  to  her. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[Whispers  when  she  and  BARBARA  are  side  by  side.  The 
two  women  speak  only  in  half  whispers.]  He  done  gone  to 
sleep  mos'  quiet  like  some  time  ago,  and  he  haven't  moved 
sence. 

BARBARA. 

[Softly.]  I'll  take  your  place.  Father's  gone  down  to 
the  hotel.  He  stayed  up  all  night  with  me.  We  kept 
watch  in  the  hall.  And  he  wouldn't  go  to  bed  now,  he  said 
he  wanted  to  be  out  doors  and  get  the  air. 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Better  open  the  curtains  and  let  in  some  fresh  air  here, 
too.  Dis  room  is  jes'  powerful  close. 

BARBARA. 
Is  it  safe  to  do  that? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

Law !  it's  the  bes'  thing,  honey.  I'll  put  out  dis  here  lamp, 
don't  need  that  no  mo'. 

[MAMMY  goes  to  the  little  table  for  the  lamp;  very  softly 
she  arranges  the  things  on  the  table,  blows  out  the  lamp,  and 
comes  to  meet  BARBARA.  BARBARA  has  meanwhile  gone  to 
the  window  and  silently  pulled  back  the  curtains.  A  pallid 
dawn  shines  in — the  sun  is  about  to  rise.  BARBARA  comes 
back  and  meets  MAMMY  in  the  centre  of  the  room.  She  looks 
sadly  at  MAMMY,  who  looks  back  sympathetically,  lovingly 

121 


BARBARA  FRIBTCH1E. 

at  BARBARA,  and  during  this  exchange  of  glances  and  sym 
pathy,  there  is  a  perfect  silence. 

BARBARA. 

[Lifting  her  head.]     How  still  it  is! 

[Both  women  stand  with  their  sides  toward  the  bed.  They 
make  a  movement  of  the  head  cmd  eyes  to  show  that  they  are 
listening  for  some  sound  from  TRUMBULL.  A  moment's 
pause,  then  BARBARA  whispers  more  softly.]  Oughtn't  we 
hear  him  breathe  ? 

[MAMMY  nods  her  head.  BARBARA  seises  her  arm.]  But 
do  you — do  you  hear  anything  ? 

MAMMY  Lu. 
[Frightened.}     No,  missy! 

BARBARA. 

Go — and  see [MAMMY  Lu  goes  to  the  bed  and  leans 

over;  a  pause.  BARBARA  waits  in  an  agony  of  suspense; 
slowly  the  old  woman  stands  up  straight  and  turns  toufard 
her.  BARBARA  reads  the  truth  in  her  face,  and  zvith  a  cry  of 
"MAMMY/"  starts  toward  the  bed.  MAMMY  Lu  tries  to  stop 
her,  taking  hold  of  her  kindly. 

•  MAMMY  Lu. 

Honey !  he's  sleepin'  his  last  sleep ! 

[BARBARA  gives  a  half  cry,  a  half  moan,  and  going  to  the 
bedside,  throws  herself  on  the  floor,  her  head  and  arms  on 
the  bed.  SJu  cries  out  pitifully. 

BARBARA. 

WILL  !  My  sweetheart !  my  lover !  my  husband !  Don't 
leave  me !  Don't  leave  me ! 

[At  this  moment,  from  far  off,  is  heard  many  MEN'S 
voices  singing  "Dixie."  After  a  few  seconds,  BARBARA  hears 


122 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

the  distant  singing.  Turning  so  she  can  see  MAMMY  Lu, 
she  questions,  breathless,  horror-struck,  sitting  upright  in 
a  forlorn  little  heap  on  the  floor.  She  speaks  in  a  toneless 
voice.}  What  is  that? 

MAMMY  Lu. 

[  Who  has  gone  to  the  window  at  the  sound  of  the  singing 
and  looked  out.}  It's  the  Southern  sogers,  chile,  marching 
through  the  town. 

BARBARA. 
Why? 

MAMMY  Lu. 
'Cause  they'se  done  ben  victorious! 

BARBARA. 

Viet !     [BARBARA  rises  sharply,  as  if  struck,  to  her 

feet.}  No!  nd!  it  can't  be  true!  It  can't  be  true!  [The 
SOLDIERS'  voices  swell  a  little  louder.  She  bends  over  the 
bed  and  slowly  drags  away  from  TRUMBULL/S  body  the 
blood-stained,  ragged  -flag  she  had  given  him;  clasping  it  to 
her  bosom,  breathing  zvith  difficulty,  and  suppressing  her 
sobs,  she  goes  across  and  out  of  the  room.  MAMMY  Lu 
follows  her,  alarmed,  and  not  understanding,  she  murmurs 
to  her  the  old  pet  names  of  childhood,  trying  to  soothe  and 
comfort  her.  As  they  pass  out  of  the  door  the  stage  is  dark- 
ened. 

THE  SECOND  SCENE. — The  strains  of  "Dixie"  are  heard, 
mingled  with  the  shouts  and  cries  of  excited  people  and  chil 
dren.  The  street  is  seen,  the  same  as  in  the  FIRST  ACT,  but 
full  of  movement,  commotion  and  sound.  It  is  early  of  a 
sunny  morning.  From  all  the  houses,  except  the  FRIETCHIE 
house,  hang  Rebel  Hags  and  banners.  The  windows  of  all 
the  houses  are  full  of  men,  women  and  children,  even  babies 
in  arms  (large,  affectionate,  colored  nurses),  in  points  of 


123 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

vantage.  SALLY  NEGLY  is  in  an  upper  NEGLY  window,  and 
LAURA  in  a  ROYCE  window.  The  steps  of  the  houses  are  full 
too,  and  the  red-brick  pavement  crowded  almost  to  the  curb. 
A  row  of  boys  and  girls  are  sitting  on  the  ROYCE  fence,  and 
two  urchins  are  up  in  a  tree.  The  SOLDIERS'  voices  are  heard 
in  the  distance,  singing  "Dixie"  and  the  crowd,  shouting: 
"Here  they  come!  Here  they  cornel"  go  almost  mad  in  the 
uproar  and  confusion.  They  surge  forward  over  the  street, 
from  where  the  procession  is  expected. 

A  MAN. 

[On  the  NEGLY  steps.]  Three  cheers  for  STONEWALL 
JACKSON  ! 

THE  CROWD. 
[In  the  street.}     Hurrah !     Hurrah !     Hufrah ! 

BOY. 

[On  the  ROYCE  fence.}  Three  cheers  for  COL.  NEGLY 
and  ARTHUR  FRIETCHIE  ! 

ALL. 

Hurrah !  Hurrah !  Hurrah !  [During  these  cheers  BAR 
BARA  opens  the  shutters  leading  onto  the  FRIETCHIE  balcony 
and  comes  out.  She  carries  her  lover's  blood-stained  Hag 
in  her  hand,  and  leans  against  the  side  of  the  window  a  mo 
ment  to  gather  her  strength.  The  singing  af  the  SOLDIERS 
off  the  stage  swells  louder,  as  they  come  nearer. 

A  MAN. 
[On  the  NEGLY  steps.]     They're  a-coming  now ! 

A  MAN. 

[On  the  FRIETCHIE  steps.]     Give  it  to  'em  good! 
[Three  great  cheers.     ALL  begin  singing  "Dixie"  zvith 
the  distant  SOLDIERS.      BARBARA  has  come  forward  on  the 


124 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

balcony  and,  reaching  up,  is  fastening  the  Union  nag  to  the 
staff  there. 

SALLY  NEGLY. 

[In  her  window.]  Locfk !  Look  at  BARBARA  FRIETCHIE  ! 
Sss !  Shame !  Shame ! 

[ALL  look  up  that  can,  and  all  who  can't  see  crane  their 
necks  and  lean  over. 

A  YOUNG  WOMAN. 
[In  a  window.]     Damn  the  Yankee  wife ! 

A  MAN. 
[On  the  NEGLY  steps.]     Take  that  flag  down ! 

ALL. 

Take  it  down!  (ad  lib.)  [The  CROWD  surges  about  the 
FRIETCHIE  house.  They  shout,  and  boo,  and  hiss  at  BAR 
BARA,  calling  "Shame!"  and  "Tear  it  down!"  "Damn  the 
Yankee  girl"  etc.,  etc.  The  men  and  boys  pick  up  stones 
and  loose  bricks  and  begin  throwing  them  at  BARBARA  and 
the  Hag. 

The  SOLDIERS'  voices  off  stage  swell  louder.  A  small 
CROWD  in  advance  of  the  procession  comes  rushing  on,  shout 
ing  JACKSON'S  name. 

A  MAN. 

{On  the  NEGLY  steps,  shouts  excitedly.]  Here  they  are! 
JACKSON  ! 

[  The  CROWD,  with  a  wild  shout  of  joy,  turn  and  surge  from 
the  FRIETCHIE  house  toward  the  advancing  SOLDIERS,  echo 
ing  the  cry  of  "JACKSON  !"  They  are  forced  back  onto  the 
steps  and  against  the  houses  in  crowded  rows,  to  leave  room 
for  the  procession.  They  sing  and  shout,  waving  handker 
chiefs  and  nags,  sticks  and  hats,  bursting  into  a  climax  of 
glad  frenzy  as  GEN.  STONEWALL  JACKSON  appears.  A  show- 


125 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

er  of  bouquets  fall  before  and  around  him  from  the  women 
in  the  CROWD  and  in  the  windows  of  the  houses.  His  AIDES 
and  STAFF  accompany  JACKSON,  and  are  followed  by  a  DRUM 
AND  FIFE  CORPS.  In  the  line  two  ragged,  blood-stained, 
powder-scorched  Hags  of  the  Confederacy  are  carried.  The 
SOLDIERS  are  many  of  them  wounded,  wearing  any  kind  of 
uniform  they  can  scrape  together,  haggard,  worn,  but  a  brave 
crowd  of  men,  rejoicing  in  a  victory  for  a  cause  that  is 
blessed  to  them.  The  SOLDIERS  sing  "Dixie"  as  they  march, 
the  CROWD  in  the  street  singing  with  them.  As  JACKSON 
approaches  the  FRIETCHIE  stoop,  the  CROWD  remember  BAR 
BARA  and  her  Hag.  Some  one  in  the  CROWD  throws  a  stone, 
which  is  the  signal  for  a  fresh  outburst. 

A  MAN. 

[On  the  NEGLY  steps.]  Shoot  if  she  doesn't  drop  it! 
Shoot! 

[  This  cry  is  taken  up  by  the  CROWD,  and  with  groans  and 
hisses  and  shouts  of  "Shoot"  and  Damn  the  Hag"  the 
excited  people  again  surge  against  the  FRIETCHIE  house, 
breaking  the  window  glass  with  sticks  and  stones,  while  a 
BOY  climbs  a  pillar  of  the  balcony  and  tries- to  tear  down  the 
Hag.  BARBARA,  hardly  knowing  what  she  does,  with  the 
thought  of  her  dead  lover  in.  the  room  behind  her,  bruised  by 
the  stones  thrown  by  the  angry  mob  below  her,  clings  to  the 
Hag.  It  is  seen  that  she  is  trying  to  speak,  and  the  CROWD, 
moved  by  curiosity,  suddenly  hushes  to  hear  her. 

BARBARA. 

Shoot !  You've  taken  a  life  already  dearer  to  me  than  my 
own.  Shoot,  and  I'll  thank  you !  but  spare  your  flag! 

[JACKSON,  passing  the  house,  has  seen  and  heard.  He 
cries  out, — 

126 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

STONEWALL  JACKSON. 

Halt !  Who  touches  a  hair  of  that  woman,  dies  like  a  dog. 
[A  short  pause.]  Pass  the  word  along! 

[An  AIDE  leaves  JACKSON  and  passes  along  behind  the 
SOLDIERS.  A  moment  after  a  MAN'S  voice  is  heard  in  the 
distance  giving  this  order:  "Who  harms  the  girl  on  a 
balcony  with  a  Union  nag  will  be  shot!"  This  is  followed  by 
another  MAN'S  voice  still  further  off  repeating  the  order. 
JACKSON  gives  the  order  to  continue  the  march. 

Forward !  March !  [  The  SOLDIERS  start  marching,  sing 
ing  at  the  same  time.  BARBARA,  holding  onto  the  nag,  half- 
fainting,  supports  herself  against  the  balcony  railing.  Her 
head  is  lifted,  her  expression  exalted.  The  PEOPLE  are  half 
of  them  singing  with  the  SOLDIERS  and  half  shouting  hur 
rahs,  the  women  greeting  their  especial  friends  with  flowers. 
Finally  COL.  NEGLY  leads  on  his  company,  JACK  among 
them.  JACK  sees  BARBARA  and  quietly  and  quickly  aiming, 
shoots  her.  There  is  a  cry  and  a  gasp  of  horror  from  the 
CROWD  in  unison.  The  SOLDIERS  halt,  the  singing  of  those 
in  sight  stops.  SUE,  who  sees  BARBARA,  with  a  wild  scream 
•fights  her  way  through  the  CROWD  and  the  SOLDIERS,  crying: 
"BARBARA  !  BARBARA  !  BARBARA  !"  There  is  a  great  commo 
tion  everywhere.  "Dixie"  is  heard  faintly  by  the  SOLDIERS 
in  the  distance^  who  have  not  yet  heard  of  something  hap 
pening.  BARBARA,  when  shot,  has  fallen  back  against  the 
house,  still  clinging  to  the  nag.  After  a  moment  she  stag 
gers  forward  and  falls,  kneeling  on  the  balcony,  her  head  and 
arms  hanging  over. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

Who  fired  that  shot? 

JACK. 

[Proudly,  quite  mad.}     I  didl 

[Lifting  a  pistol  quickly  to  his  head,  but  he  is  seized  and 

127 


BARBARA  FRIETCHIE. 

pinioned  by  Two  SOLDIERS  before  he  can  fire.  COL.  NEGLY 
starts  back  in  horror  at  the  confession  of  his  dearly  loved  son. 
He  loses  his  control  for  a  minute  and  cannot  speak. 

FIRST  SOLDIER. 

What  shall  we  do  with  him,  COLONEL? 
[MAMMY  Lu  has  come  onto  the  balcony  with  SUE  and 
kneels  by  BARBARA. 

COL.  NEGLY. 

[With  a  great  effort  regains  his  self-control,  and,  though 
his  voice  trembles,  he  still  speaks  with  the  authority  of  an 
officer.]  Carry  out  your  orders!  Forward!  march! 

[The  procession  marches  on  over  the  flower-strewn  pave 
ment,  the  PEOPLE  and  SOLDIERS  in  silence,  the  strains  of  "My 
Country,  'tis  of  Thee"  in  the  air,  as 

The  Curtain  Falls. 


THE  END. 


128 


T. 


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ftt     10    jn% 

'          .',•/.-., 

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^^IVhv'fiOFoH 

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2JMay  "ULbB 

, 

\4N\a^61*H 

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• 

LD  21-100m-8,'34 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


